Ladies and Gentleman....Taye Diggs is your next Hedwig- Page 20

[haterobics]

Posted: 7/30/15 at 6:55pm

"NPH hit a chord in me that JCM did not. Not his fault or anything. Not anyone's fault really."

 I think of it as your fault.

[haterobics]

Posted: 7/30/15 at 6:56pm

"Michael is by far my favorite other than JCM. Andrew and Darren are interchangeable to me in the next position, with Neil coming after and Taye bringing up the rear."

I did not see Taye yet, but those are my identical rankings otherwise.

[Jane2]

Posted: 7/30/15 at 6:59pm

I'd love to see some rankings by people who saw the Jane St. Hedwigs as well as the broadway ones.

[haterobics]

Posted: 7/30/15 at 7:02pm

I only wish I lived in NYC when that happened. At least I got to see him do it once...

[mariel9]

Posted: 7/30/15 at 7:06pm

A friend of mine saw Hedwig for the first time on Friday and we didn't get a chance to talk until today. She loved it and loved Taye. She's already talking about going back and said she might go after he's done, depending on who the next one is. She didn't notice any of the problems with the pacing or length. She loved his voice and his performance of the music. She said he seemed uncomfortable with some of the choreography and the accent. Her family is West Indian and she said he sounded like her family. She noted that the audience was diverse, and Taye is going to bring in people who wouldn't otherwise be interested.

My impression is that he's genuinely struggling with some of it and had a rough start, but some of the criticism on this board comes partly from our familiarity with and emotional investment in the show. It reminds me of a night late in JCM's run when he flubbed the lyrics to WIAB and could not get the fur dress on. I'd finally convinced some friends to go that night, their first time, and they had no idea anything had gone wrong. (Of course JCM was magnificent and handled the problems well.) First timers just aren't going to see some of the stuff we do.

[Amazing2]

Posted: 7/30/15 at 7:12pm

I'm so glad he's improving.  I know from past reports that the other Hedwigs all grew in the role.  However, I do find it concerning that according to some who have seen him he was not at least competent out of the gate.  When tickets are an expensive commodity, audiences shouldn't have to accept a performance that has been ill-prepared. As I have stated in other posts, I want Hedwig to stay open.  Therefore, I am counting on him improving.  I like Taye Diggs, and I think he's talented.  All the Hedwig actors (Broadway) in my book are very talented people, and they have all played the role with passion, exhibiting their wonderful interpretations in unique ways.  I also disagree that the comments on Twitter are mostly positive.  The ones I've seen there vary from glowing to awful.  However, to me it's not surprising that these remarks are so ardent.  People have deep feelings about Hedwig and, yes, about the performers who portray her.  There were very high expectations for Taye Diggs.  The fact that he has seemed to be a little off his game has created quite a stir.  Once he settles in, I believe this criticism will evaporate.  

I do have a question.  If anyone can answer, I would appreciate it.  Who decides how much a show is discounted and when?  Do they look at same day sales or is it done way in advance?  I read somewhere that there were 400 available seats for one of the performances last week and same day sales brought attendance to capacity or close to a sell-out. Isn't there a danger of people expecting deep discounting all the time and waiting to buy their tickets?  Thanks for any explanation!

Updated On: 7/30/15 at 07:12 PM

[skies]

Posted: 7/30/15 at 7:26pm

"A friend of mine saw Hedwig for the first time on Friday and we didn't get a chance to talk until today. She loved it and loved Taye. She's already talking about going back and said she might go after he's done, depending on who the next one is."

Hedwig as a theater piece is quite unique even now, and I'm sure it still carries quite an impact with first time Hedwig goers.

Does anyone know if Idina took their child on tour of if Taye is taking care of the little one?

Updated On: 7/30/15 at 07:26 PM

[darquegk]

Posted: 7/30/15 at 7:30pm

Hedwig is a cipher- an intentionally underwritten role with an intentionally obtuse cathartic moment. I'm not entirely sure that there is a single RIGHT way to do it, despite JCM's being definitive due to its originality and longevity.

[ChildofEarth]

Posted: 7/30/15 at 7:32pm

I do have a question.  If anyone can answer, I would appreciate it.  Who decides how much a show is discounted and when?  Do they look at same day sales or is it done way in advance?  I read somewhere that there were 400 available seats for one of the performances last week and same day sales brought attendance to capacity or close to a sell-out. Isn't there a danger of people expecting deep discounting all the time and waiting to buy their tickets?  Thanks for any explanation!

 

While I can't answer your first question 100%, my guess is that it is a weekly thing. They set the percentage for the week, and see what happens. Taye is facing stiff competition from Fun Home and Hamilton, I think. People are waiting to see if they can win those lotteries and then, if they lose, going to see what they can get cheap. Even lotteries haven't been full for shows other than Hamilton. 

There is a danger of people expecting discounts, but there is also a danger of not selling seats. I think it is interesting that Darren and Taye seem to have opposite problems - Darren couldn't fill the house, but people would pay standard prices for tickets and Taye fills the house, but people aren't paying for tickets. Darren's attendance went up significantly as he went (whether those were TKTS tickets or regular IDK), so I'm hoping the same for Taye - except I'm hoping those people will pay.

[A Director]

Posted: 7/30/15 at 11:55pm

Jane2

You wrote, "It was never a big production number style show with lots of "TADA!!!!" dancing and singing, a la Vegas. A la NPH."

I have no problem with you preferring the way the show was done at the Jane. On the other hand,

Are you implying that NPH is the reason "Hedwig and The Angry Inch" was turned into a "TADA!!!!" show?

From what I've read and heard. John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask approved the way their show has been produced on Broadway. They are the ones who wanted NPH to do the show on Broadway. They are the ones who have a say on who is going to play Hedwig on Broadway. An evil producer didn't force them to do the show the way it is being done on Broadway.

[A Director]

Posted: 7/31/15 at 12:05am

Jane2

Someone posted on YouTube a video of JCM first performance as Hedwig at the Squeezbox on July 29/30, 1994.

Stephen Trask wrote this on Twitter.

Stephen Trask ?@stephentrask 7h7 hours ago
This certainly isn't the intimate "JCM with a mic telling stories to a few friends" described by someone by the name Jane2...

[Elfuhbuh]

Posted: 7/31/15 at 1:39am

""Does anyone know if Idina took their child on tour of if Taye is taking care of the little one?"

 

I believe Idina took their son with her.

[ChildofEarth]

Posted: 7/31/15 at 3:19pm

Does anyone know how sales were this week? I wasn't able to check telecharge but were more seats sold at regular price than last week? What percentage was tkts at? 

I am hoping for an improvement in money - personally hoping 450k at least.

[skies]

Posted: 7/31/15 at 3:25pm

We'll have actual numbers by Monday for this week.

On the Alan Cumming  Hedwig thread someone posted that breakeven is 317K plus royalties for the creators and some other floating costs  so if the show's nut is 350K, for example, anything above that keeps it afloat and profitable.   The show has never dipped below 390K in it's run so far.

[ChildofEarth]

Posted: 7/31/15 at 3:35pm

So it'll stay as long as it doesn't go below 350? I wasn't sure how it worked or if the would close if they thought another show could bring more profit.

[HedwigInch]

Posted: 7/31/15 at 3:37pm

"Does anyone know how sales were this week? I wasn't able to check telecharge but were more seats sold at regular price than last week? What percentage was tkts at? 

I am hoping for an improvement in money - personally hoping 450k at least."

I can only really answer the last part. So far all performances (including Saturday matinee, the Brooklyn booth is already selling matinee tickets for tomorrow) were/are still 50% off.

I checked Telecharge for the past 3 performances this week and so far the performances ended with something around 80%. I am assuming tonight and the weekend will do better than that though. As usual, Telecharge is not 100% accurate so it could be a bit more or less. Can't say anything about how many seats were available via tkts.

[ChildofEarth]

Posted: 7/31/15 at 9:54pm

If anyone is interested in seeing the show, but is hesitant because of the reviews, lottery might be the way to go. I wasn't there tonight but a friend was and said that there were 30 tickets and only 17 were claimed.

[Auggie27]

Posted: 7/31/15 at 11:27pm

It was back on TDF late this morning.

[SamHoffman523]

Posted: 8/1/15 at 1:56am

"If anyone is interested in seeing the show, but is hesitant because of the reviews, lottery might be the way to go. I wasn't there tonight but a friend was and said that there were 30 tickets and only 17 were claimed."

 Just my luck. I went on Wednesday night, came all the way in from NJ, and lost the lotto. 32 tickets, and about 45 people were there. Had to go to TKTS and get a 50% off ticket, for $75. Although the seat was fantastic, so I can't complain too much.

[Glittergrrl]

Posted: 8/1/15 at 11:46am

"I'd love to see some rankings by people who saw the Jane St. Hedwigs as well as the broadway ones."

These are the Hedwig's I've seen, ranked...

1. JCM

2. Michael Cerveris

3. Matt McGrath

4. Kevin Cahoon

5. NPH

6. Michael C. Hall

 

For me, JCM would be at the tippy top of the Empire State Building.  Michael Cerveris is amazing in everything, so he'd be close to the top and everyone else would be in the lobby.  The character is so connected to JCM for me. This may be controversial, but I liked MCH least.  I just didn't feel it.  I didn't even raise my hands that night. Gasp!

Jane, You've seen everyone. How would you rank them? 

 

 

Updated On: 8/1/15 at 11:46 AM

[akmiller_98]

Posted: 8/1/15 at 3:49pm

My first time posting here, but I've been reading all the threads.
Here are my rankings:

1. Kevin Cahoon—(Jane Street) He was my first. I think we all sort of fall a little in love with our first Hedwig, don't we? I went in with a terrible hangover, not really knowing anything about the show, and came out transformed.


2. JCM—(Broadway) For me, he’s the most intense Hedwig. He doesn’t even have to move and he can convey any emotion he wants. He had me mesmerized. Just amazing. Would be number 1 if I had seen him before Kevin.


3. Darren Criss—I went in with very, very, very low expectations. I had heard a bootleg of his vocals and thought he sounded awful. He blew me away. He was the most charismatic and the best actor of all the Hedwigs. He really seemed put everything he had into becoming Hedwig. Unrecognizable on stage. So graceful. So funny. Great accent. However, not the strongest of vocals.


4. NPH—He was a lot of fun. But I felt like I was watching NPH in drag.


5. Andrew Rannells—Really strong vocals. Horrible German accent. Sassy. Wanted to love him, but I just didn’t feel it.


6. Anthony Rapp (Connecticut) —Such a disappointment. I am a former Renthead so I was so excited about this. I went on a little road trip with some friends who had never seen Hedwig. Just terrible. The direction, the staging, the costumes, the wigs, the acting, was just all wrong.
   
   Seeing Taye in Sept. Can’t wait!

[luvcaroline]

Posted: 8/1/15 at 7:51pm

We've seen 2

Preferred NPH slightly over Darren Criss, who really surprised me. Seeing Taye in September and I can't wait!

[Jane2]

Posted: 8/1/15 at 8:22pm

Glitter girl, the only broadway Hedwig I saw until JCM was NPH. I was so disgusted after his performance that I decided I was done with the show . But I did return for JCM.

but here are my rankings:

JCM, M. Cerveris,Matt McGrath, Kevin Cahoon, Asa Somers, Donovan Leitch, NPH, Ally Sheedy

[SamHoffman523]

Posted: 8/1/15 at 8:30pm

Guess I'll jump in:

1. MCH (God I don't even know, he just had so much command and anger)

2. NPH (He was my first, so I'm partial)

3. JCM (He is Hedwig)

4. Darren (His Tommy was on point)

5. Andrew (Saw his opening night, so he may have been a bit weak)

6. Taye (Super entertaining, but he just doesn't fit the role as an actor, in my opinion)

Updated On: 8/1/15 at 08:30 PM

[DeepVSexyWitch2]

Posted: 8/1/15 at 9:30pm

Saw Taye on Thursday and was sad at what I saw. Most of the issues I found have been reported here already but in short: 

1. PACING. woof. Will improve vastly once he knows his lines cold. Stumbling all over for dialogue as well as choreography. 

2. Very little energy from the get go. This is Hedwig's ONE NIGHT ONLY performance on Broadway! Where's the excitement! 

3. His voice is beautiful but not rock n' roll whatsoever. Also, "Exquisite Corpse" was exceptionally awful. 

4. His improv is his saving grace but the added bits should be the cherry on top of the sundae. Don't just feed me just a cherry and call it dessert.

I'll probably return at the end of the month to see if he's gotten any better and my fingers are crossed! I WANTED him to be so wonderful too. 

 

Also, Hedwig rankings from favorite to least favorite are as follows:

1. JCM 

2. Andrew

3. MCH

4. NPH

5. Darren

6. Taye