Breaking News: Neil Patrick Harris to Star in HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH on Broadway - Spring 2014!- Page 4

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 4:06pm

^^^^ I agree a million jillion percent.

[GilmoreGirlO2]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 4:06pm

Well said, jnb9872, I couldn’t have said it better myself. I feel the same as you and wish this production the best of luck! I am excited to see it!

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 4:07pm

I would have to say that seems to be a sane response, Kad.

As opposed to your well-thought-out, reasonable, viable and logical responses to someone's differing opinion? I would say you don't know the difference between a sane response and a boil on your ass.

@RobbieJ: As I said in my very first post, I'm waiting to see it, and I'm willing to be proven wrong, but right now, I don't see how this will work. Vociferous as I may seem because others unceasingly enjoy pressing my buttons, I do wish to wait and see the result.

[wonderfulwizard11]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 4:09pm

Unexpected, but the more I think about it, I can see him being a really terrific choice for the part. And as someone that loves Hedwig but has never seen anything but the movie, I'm thrilled for a chance to finally see this brilliant show live.

[Jane2]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 4:11pm

"Wow. Could they be more off the mark? This doesn't need a big name, this needs a larger-than-life personality. NPH is so wrong for this it's not even funny".

I almost agree with you, but I'm going to have to trust JCM. I have doubts that the show can work in a broadway house, and part of me knows that a big name IS important here. JCM has said he needs to rewrite for the size theater, but he still needs a draw. I don't think an unknown is a great idea.



But having managed the Jane St. theater and seeing every Hedwig there was, I'm not sure about Neil Harris. Can he be flamboyant and create pathos? I don't know. is he a strong enough singer? i don't know.

Because of my love and respect for JCM, I'm hoping for the best.

Updated On: 6/17/13 at 04:11 PM

[best12bars]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 4:13pm

Neil didn't have to take this role. He could have picked pretty much anything else from the Broadway canon and someone would have produced it.

Company (sure, it's been an hour since the last revival)
Bye Bye, Birdie
Brigadoon
Barnum

Something more conventional, you know, for kids!

I love that he picked Hedwig. It's a risk to put this next to the kiddie shows currently running, but I"m glad.

My first reaction when I read this was, "Okay, nothing safe about that. He wants to challenge himself as a performer."

Great news.

And for anyone who hasn't seen the show live, go! The movie is pretty damn wonderful, too. And this (below) is one of my favorite songs from the score or any musical ever, actually.


Wicked Little Town

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 4:16pm

^ I'd buy into all that if this didn't smack of offering a big star an absurd amount of money because the producers need to get this open before the rights lapse. But, as I've repeatedly said, I'm willing to be proven wrong.

[Luscious]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 4:18pm

Can. Not. Wait. Very excited! I'd buy my tickets today if they were on sale.

[Jane2]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 4:19pm

I believe I have the longest and closest history with the show out of us here. of the 7 Hedwigs that have done the role at the Jane, some of them would surprise you. So, I'm giving this a chance. It's not only the role of Hedwig I worry about, but how the show will work in a large house.

[theaterfan862]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 4:21pm

I am very excited by this but I also wonder if NPH can handle this score. I go see this regardless because I have been dying for a Broadway production of Hedwig!

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 4:24pm

of the 7 Hedwigs that have done the role at the Jane, some of them would surprise you.

I hear Ally Sheedy was a surprise, and not in a good way. Your thoughts?

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 4:25pm

"I'd buy into all that if this didn't smack of offering a big star an absurd amount of money because the producers need to get this open before the rights lapse."

Could somebody please tie this twerp's hands behind his back so he can't type any more?

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 4:25pm

Another cracking response. We simply need a television show together. Maybe on LOGO. It'd be hilarious.

[Jane2]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 4:27pm

"I hear Ally Sheedy was a surprise, and not in a good way. Your thoughts?"

If you're talking to me, I can't post one word about Ally Sheedy here without treading on thin ice, if you get my drift.

[Kad]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 4:27pm

I agree, Besty. Hedwig is a far cry from the feel-good drag queens that pop onto Broadway every other season. The character is complex, beautiful and hideous, strong and self-loathing, and the show forces a lot of uncomfortable questions about gender, sexuality, and identity onto an audience without apology or pulling punches.

And I applaud NPH for being a high-profile sitcom star who is taking a role that is not at all what people would associate with his persona.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 4:28pm

"^ I'd buy into all that if this didn't smack of offering a big star an absurd amount of money because the producers need to get this open before the rights lapse. But, as I've repeatedly said, I'm willing to be proven wrong."

I know a person involved. This is an untrue statement.

[Rob]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 4:29pm

Update - Michael Mayer will direct.
https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Breaking-News-Neil-Patrick-Harris-to-Star-in-HEDWIG-AND-THE-ANGRY-INCH-on-Broadway-Spring-2014-20130617

Posted: 6/17/13 at 4:29pm

"I'd buy into all that if this didn't smack of offering a big star an absurd amount of money because the producers need to get this open before the rights lapse."

If we were talking Sean Hayes or Matthew Broderick you might be able to use this absurd string of words.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 4:32pm

The first time I saw Hedwig was at The Westbeth about a year before it went to the Jane Street. A friend was the company manager...and I waited while he cleaned up so we could grab a drink afterwards. At one point, it was me, JCM and Michael Mayer and I became a ranting, babbling fool in front of them. But they were sweet...so I like to believe that Mayer directing is a nod to me and my very special Hedwig experience.

[Brave Sir Robin2]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 4:33pm

This season is getting more and more interesting! Hopefully this encourages him to still stay on the stage.

[g.d.e.l.g.i.]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 4:34pm

Michael Mayer, eh?

Hmmm. The plot thickens...

Strike my statements from the record, Your Honor. This could be something.

[Jane2]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 4:35pm

i'm a little disappointed that JCM isn't directing, as it is his story.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 4:36pm

EFF YOU GDELGI.

"But they were sweet...so I like to believe that Mayer directing is a nod to me and my very special Hedwig experience."

What else could it possibly be?

[Idiot]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 4:36pm

I think NPH can nail this role.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 6/17/13 at 4:36pm

I think it's wise for JCM to simply concentrate on the script and making it work in a Broadway house.