#51
Posted: 1/21/15 at 11:07pm
I don't know who those other bitches were, but Hedwig is finally on Broadway!
Obviously, this was going to be a theater packed with people ready to give it up, as evidenced by Jay Brannan across the aisle from me, Miriam Shor a few rows back, multiple people in full Hedwig drag.
The first standing ovation occurred before we even saw JCMs knees, with the roar drowning out Yitzhak's intro, and we may have stood for the entire first song. For a moment, I wondered if we were going to turn the whole thing into a rock concert and never use our seats...
JCM was completely on his game, and very present when he wasn't, whether a snagged mic cord or other incidental thing happened. He had the confidence of someone in the middle of a run, not a first show, but this part is well into his bones by now.
The show didn't end until 10p, and not all of that was the audience, as I swear JCM did an extra 15 minutes, both extending lines to be more drawn out and contemplative, as well as a lot of new material. None of which I'll spoil here, although people who keep asking whether the Kathy Griffin line is still in there? No.
I'm totally biased, admittedly, since he was my first Hedwig, my movie Hedwig, the voice of the two Hedwig CDs I listen to, so... it wasn't watching a new actor give a take on a role. JCM just exudes Hedwig effortlessly. The emotional stuff was deeper, the lewd parts dirtier, and the audience interaction extended and perfect.
But yes, we stood a lot, we clapped a lot, we cheered a lot, and the theater was filled with magic. When the band kicked in during Midnight Radio, there was no build for the audience to join in. It was the orchestra, mezzanine, and balcony all on its feet, both hands in the air, and engaged immediately.
JCM looked overwhelmed during his curtain call, during which Trask came out for a bow, too... and it would be hard to imagine a more perfect night, a more perfect show, or a more perfect Hedwig.
Lift up your hands!
And who do we have to blow to get that bitch a Tony?
Obviously, this was going to be a theater packed with people ready to give it up, as evidenced by Jay Brannan across the aisle from me, Miriam Shor a few rows back, multiple people in full Hedwig drag.
The first standing ovation occurred before we even saw JCMs knees, with the roar drowning out Yitzhak's intro, and we may have stood for the entire first song. For a moment, I wondered if we were going to turn the whole thing into a rock concert and never use our seats...
JCM was completely on his game, and very present when he wasn't, whether a snagged mic cord or other incidental thing happened. He had the confidence of someone in the middle of a run, not a first show, but this part is well into his bones by now.
The show didn't end until 10p, and not all of that was the audience, as I swear JCM did an extra 15 minutes, both extending lines to be more drawn out and contemplative, as well as a lot of new material. None of which I'll spoil here, although people who keep asking whether the Kathy Griffin line is still in there? No.
I'm totally biased, admittedly, since he was my first Hedwig, my movie Hedwig, the voice of the two Hedwig CDs I listen to, so... it wasn't watching a new actor give a take on a role. JCM just exudes Hedwig effortlessly. The emotional stuff was deeper, the lewd parts dirtier, and the audience interaction extended and perfect.
But yes, we stood a lot, we clapped a lot, we cheered a lot, and the theater was filled with magic. When the band kicked in during Midnight Radio, there was no build for the audience to join in. It was the orchestra, mezzanine, and balcony all on its feet, both hands in the air, and engaged immediately.
JCM looked overwhelmed during his curtain call, during which Trask came out for a bow, too... and it would be hard to imagine a more perfect night, a more perfect show, or a more perfect Hedwig.
Lift up your hands!
And who do we have to blow to get that bitch a Tony?
Updated On: 1/22/15 at 11:07 PM
