Ah, Hedwig. How do I explain how fabulous it is? Well first of all let me say you can google it and find out more than you ever wanted to know. Also, they made a movie version in 2001 that is AWESOME (John Cameron Mitchell plays Hedwig - he was the original/creator/director guy). See it.
I shall do my best to create a SHORT plot summary.
Hedwig was originally Hansel, from Communist East Berlin. He met an American GI named Luther and in order to move to America, got a botched sex change that left her with an "angry inch." In America, Luther leaves Hedwig for some (in the movie) strange guy who looks like a bird.
Hedwig meets Tommy, a teenage boy who admires her music and they fall in love and collaborate. When Tommy finds out about Hedwig's angry inch, he runs away. Eventually he ends up stealing Hedwig's music for his own and becomes a big rock star. One night they meet, get drunk while driving, crash into a truck, and get into a big media scandal.
The movie is told while Hedwig is on tour, following Tommy around the country in the thick of her law suit against his plagurism. Don't forget Hedwig's backup singer/lover Yhitzak, who wants to be like Hedwig, and tries out for the part of Angel in Broadway's Polynesian tour of RENT (and gets the part, but is not allowed to go because of Hedwig).
Christened an atomically incorrect rock oddyssey, this show rocks! John Cameron Mitchell is awesome. Anthony played Hedwig in PA in 2003. He says along with Mark and Henry V, Hedwig is one of his favorite parts. (The first quote in my sig is in refrence to Hedwig.) If you've got more questions, you are welcome to ask me. I guess this wasn't the shortest summary, but this is a good show. I watched it because it was mentioned on a "You might be a renthead if..." list.
Enjoy!
Measure your life in love, RENTheads, and keep it always in your heart.
Avatar: Me with Al Larson, Jonathan Larson's father.