Hedwig's future

[dramamama611]

Standard contract is a year, so Lena sating that is not surprising. If a show closes, contracts cease to matter.

[HogansHero]

dramamama-There is no such thing as a standard contract.

haterobics-re the holiday season, one could conclude that NPH's value is actually greater during a slow period than a busy one. Having an audience magnet in winter is a very good thing. If you can sell well during December without a magnet, better to wait. Of course, implicit in your suggestion re the holidays is that NPH is going to arrange his schedule to maximize revenue rather than based on what he personally wants to do. And there is no evidence at all he is in the former category.

[Sutton Ross]

"My guess would be they hired Rannells as a buffer. He's a Broadway vet"

I don't think three Broadway shows necessarily makes someone a "vet".

[David2]

I think the show is going to sell fine with Rannells but not nearly as well as it is now with NPH

The show is sold out through August 17th (which is when NPH leaves)

[haterobics]

"implicit in your suggestion re the holidays is that NPH is going to arrange his schedule to maximize revenue rather than based on what he personally wants to do. And there is no evidence at all he is in the former category."

I was just bouncing off the other poster's suggestion. Personally, I think NPH is finished playing Hedwig on August 17 and, since he and the show won the Tony and the show already recouped, he has nothing to prove going back in again... and he doesn't need the money.

[Sutton Ross]

[HBP]

@haterobics. that is a nifty quote. i couldn't think of a better adjective.

[Xman8]

Rannells would definitely be a good Hedwig and a buffer, because I believe someone big will come to Hedwig, it's a very well made show. I saw it with NPH and I was blown away. Now on West End the person that I think could do Hedwig extraordinarily well and is a big name draw for the Brits is Noel Fielding, he just has the edge for the role.

[dramamama611]

Standard as in most common.

[Glittergrrl]

Rannels is a great choice, NPH had the star power, I guess, although I've never really been a fan. i think AR has the better voice. I'll be interested to see his take on the character. I hope he can attract an audience. I know there have to be diehards like me who would kill to see JCM again. There is money to be made here, people. Isn't that the point? Even if he stepped in for a couple of weeks, I'd have my credit card out in a flash.

[Wee Thomas2]

I must have misunderstood the question. I think Hedwig has a fine future in state fairs and perhaps on some cruise ships.

[Auggie27]

Rannells's run will prove whether the Broadway edition of the show itself is the star in this larger (pricier) venue, or whether a special synergy between Harris and the role created a true "event." To pick up on earlier casting suggestions: Personally speaking, I can't bear to watch Adam Lambert. But I believe he's spot on for this role, and would sell more tickets than Rannells.

[lotiloti]

Noel Fielding for West End, Hedwig. Don't be ridiculous.

[gstrus2]

Is Alan Cumming interested in this? I know he does a Hedwig medley at his concerts.

[Jane2]

" I think Hedwig has a fine future in state fairs "

Definitely. Right after the hog calling competition and before the pie tasting, stop by the bandstand and catch Hedwig and the Angry Inch!

[Bwaydreamer3]

Guys lets not forget Andrew Rannells has played Hedwig before at a regional theatre. He'll be fine on Broadway. I can't wait to see him!

[haterobics]

I don't think anyone has questioned Rannells' ability, just that NPH sold a lot of seats based on his celebrity, and it as-yet-unknown how this show will sell without that celebrity factor.

[MichelleCraig]

This reminds me of Reba coming in after Bernadette left ANNIE GET YOUR GUN. Who knew? Let's wait and see...

[Mystic Pasta]

I have no interest in seeing Andrew Rannels but am hoping they will bring back John Cameron Mitchell. Then I will buy a ticket. Andrew is too pretty to care much about his story..JCM would be exciting and more real.

[dramamama611]

I think people here have said that JCM has stated that he has no desire to perform it again. (But I could be totally wrong with this memory)

[Sutton Ross]

"Andrew is too pretty to care much about his story."

Having sat at the table right next to him during Lady Day, I can tell you that JCM is a very pretty person.

[Littleshopofcarrie]

"Is Alan Cumming interested in this? I know he does a Hedwig medley at his concerts."

Isn't he a little too old? I'm not familiar with this show but from whatever seen it's normally played by someone younger.

[Sutton Ross]

Alan is younger than JCM and only eight years older than NPH.

[Platypus]

Well there is a line in the show where Hedwig says that she was in her 20's in the 80's, and there are references that indicate that it is taking place in the present, so technically both NPH and AR are too young and Alan Cumming is the perfect age. But the makeup is caked on so heavily that I don't think the age of the actor really matters.

[Cupid Boy2]

In regards to Andrew being too pretty for this role, I don't think that is even relevant when it comes to Hedwig's story. All people struggle with self-acceptance regardless of their appearance, and the journey Hedwig goes on is what makes this show so relatable. It's certainly not how attractive or unattractive the actor playing Hedwig is.


On another note, I'll be interested to see how the quality of the show is effected once NPH leaves. I have absolutely no doubts that Andrew R. will be up to the task of delivering a phenomenal performance, but I think what made seeing this production of Hedwig even more memorable for me was the excitement the audience felt. That certainly isn't to discredit NPH's performance, which on its own was incredible. The reverence with which he was treated by the audience just added to it all, and unfortunately, I think a lot of that energy will be lost once he leaves.

[Sutton Ross]

Yeah, I don't think it's relevant at all. But, I don't find Neil or Andrew attractive in the least, that doesn't mean I can't enjoy their performances.