By Ashlei Havili Thomas
Hedwig and the Angry Inch at An Other Theater Company in Provo, Utah is a show unlike any other. Part rock concert, part one person show, Hedwig rocks the stage and the audience with their story. Most widely known for its Broadway debut with Neil Patrick Harris, where it won several Tony awards, as well as the 2001 movie musical of the same name. With music and lyrics by Stephen Trask and book by John Cameron Mitchell, this gritty, sensual and, unapologetic musical rocked its opening weekend at Another Theater Company with completely sold out seats. This cult classic is bound to rock your socks off while its story will keep you coming back for more. You don’t want to miss out on this wild, irreverent ride of a show.
Hedwig is the story of a transgender ex-US Army wife turned rocker from East Berlin. The whole show lives under the premise of her one-night-only rock concert across from the venue of Tommy Gnossis, Hedwig’s once lover turned rival. Throughout the show, Hedwig tells of her life: her start as Hansel Schmidt, a boy in East Berlin obsessed with western rock music and finding his other half, becoming an Army wife and escaping East Berlin by having a (botched) sex change operation, and ending with now, a bitter, half-successful rock singer. One of the members of the band is her husband Yitzhak, a Jewish drag queen from Zagreb. As part of her agreement to marry him, Hedwig forces him to give up being a drag queen and sing backup for her in the band. Their abusive relationship is obvious throughout the show as they trade insults and berate each other onstage.
The titular role in An Other Theater Company’s production is double cast, with Jordan Kramer on Saturdays and Cleveland McKay Nicoll performing Fridays. The actors switch off on the four Sunday performances. Kramer’s performance as Hedwig is enthralling. His stage presence pulls all the focus toward him, and his glib, off the cuff remarks leave the audience in fits of laughter. While some mentioned that the pacing in between songs lagged at times, I found the reflective moments between songs revitalizing, giving a better glimpse into Hedwig’s psyche. Kramer growls and wails with the guitar, leaving the audience in no doubt as to his command of the music. Likewise, Laura Chapman as Yitzhak is stunning, doing a lot of “behind the scenes” work that may go unnoticed when focused on the bright star that is Hedwig. Yet Chapman’s performance shows both the great love and bitterness felt by Yitzhak as he is pushed around and belittled by Hedwig. My favorite to watch and hear was “Midnight Radio” as it highlighted both Kramer and Chapman’s voices individually, rather than melded in harmonies. Her clear voice rings out, a perfect counterpoint to Kramer’s. The band The Angry Inch is comprised of Robert Ikey Starks on guitar, Celeste Fay on bass, Scott Robinson on drums, and Brooks Hiatt on keys. I loved watching their individual interactions with Hedwig while I rocked out to their fantastic accompaniment as part of the show. The whole band is fantastic, working well together not only to perform the musical aspects, but to bring energy and life to the whole as a performance.
The gritty scene design by Scott Caldwell hits you instantly as you enter this black box theater. Suddenly, I was no longer in a theater, but a dirty backdoor punk rock concert. The choice of seating the audience on an obtuse angle gives an off kilter feel to the space, leaving the audience open to the many different emotions that run intensely through the show. The costume design by Ash Knowles and hair and makeup by Mel Howarth give an androgynous look to all the characters while allowing each to stand out as individuals. The facial glitter as well as different sheens and textures in the fabrics add dimension to the design, giving the eyes a feast while the ears are bombarded with sound. The entire production comes together under the direction of theater owner and director Kacey Spadafora. Between the great work of his production team and the cast, this show thrills.
While Hedwig and the Angry Inch is one that will leave you craving more, it is in no way suitable for all audiences. There are mature themes throughout, and strobe lighting is used, which may cause difficulties for some. Earplugs are provided for those who wish, and I used them frequently to prevent blowing out my eardrums. The late start time may discourage some as well, but the short run time and energy of the performance in no way left me exhausted. Many it seemed were invigorated by the performance and ready for more. This musical will make you want to jump up and dance (don’t do it during the show) and give you a new perspective on our own identities as people and our relationships to those around us. Go to Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Another Theater Company in Provo, Utah and let the music carry you away to her “Wicked Little Town.”
An Other Theater Company presents Hedwig and the Angry Inch, with Music and Lyrics by Stephen Trask and Book by John Cameron Mitchell
An Other Theater Company, 1200 Towne Center Blvd, Provo, UT 84601 (this is on the second level at south end of the Provo Towne Center Mall)
Feb 22-23, March 1-2, 8-9, 15-16, 22-23 8:45 PM, Feb 24, March 3, 10, 17 5:45 PM
Tickets: $13-18
Contact: anothertheaterco@gmail.com
An Other Theater Company Facebook Page
Hedwig and the Angry Inch Facebook Event
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