By Claire DuMont
Online Sports Editor
“Hedwig and the Angry Inch,” opened on November 1 at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre, with an entertaining and amazing performance that enchanted audiences.
“Hedwig” entertains with beautiful and powerful music, impressive set design, remarkable vocals and acting from the cast, and a moving storyline that encases a balance of serious ballad and comedic relief.
“Hedwig and the Angry Inch” stars Darren Criss as Hedwig (played by Lena Hall in certain performances), a genderqueer performer, and her husband/back up singer Yitzhak played by Lena Hall.l. The small cast can at first be a drawback, seeing as it is unconventional for traditional Broadway musicals, however, as the musical progresses, it soon becomes part of the attraction due to the impressive performances.
For modern productions, “Hedwig” has been updated to present times, with the premise being that Hedwig is performing her “concert” on the set of the failed “Hurt Locker: The Musical.” The rest of the musical is Hedwig telling her story, with an evident rise and fall rampant fluctuation of emotions and the eventual decline of Hedwig.
Stephen Trask, the music and lyric writer for the show, brilliantly combined multiple styles of music featured in the play. The majority of songs should have followed a rock and roll template, but instead numbers such as “The Origin of Love” are slow odes that left audiences serenaded. This not only provides a balance to the audience, but perfectly follows the theme of being in between bright, fun, serious and slow.
Visit the review for “Hedwig” by the Los Angeles Times
The creativity and spirit of the show is reflected also through the impressive set design. The general set features a space for the band on the side as well as a prop junk car. These elements are frequently used throughout the plot, with a complete transformation at the end. During some songs, such as “The Origin of Love” and “Wig in a Box”, projections and fixtures suspended in the air enhanced the performance by making the performance seem interactive and whimsical for the audience.
“Hedwig” gives the audience the general feeling of a rock concert, rather than a Broadway musical, Instead of ignoring the audience and telling the story before them, “Hedwig” breaks the fourth wall throughout the entire show. This style allowed Hedwig to talk directly to audience members, and even interact physically. This act can be a breathe of fresh air to veterans of Broadway and serves as something new.
Visit the official Pantages website
Even though there are few characters in the plot, the actors bring them to life in a way that connects the audience to the show. The characters are real and complex, and the acting reflects it. The plot follows the eventual decline of Hedwig, a narrative that is accurately portrayed by Criss, in a way that moves the audience, as they are able to see the rise and fall of the character. The immediate changes from sincere emotional points to comedic relief (often improvised) were seamless, showing the true talent of the actors.
The perfect combination of masculinity and femininity, hard rock and soft ballads, serious monologues and comedic relief is all brought together in a perfectly enchanting story in “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.”
“Hedwig and the Angry Inch” is showing at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre now until November 27.
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