What's your theory on Tommy Gnosis (obvious Hedwig spoilers)

[Wee Thomas2]

is he Hedwig's alter ego/other personality? Or is he really the kid described in the show?

From the Musical I get one feeling, but from the movie it plays out the other way for me.

[TotallyEffed]

They are two different people.

[dramamama611]

This^.

[neonlightsxo]

I'm confused that this is a question. I think it's pretty clear they're two different people.

[Sutton Ross]

Two

[Jane2]

this is a question that many people have, so CLEARLY it isn't CLEAR.

[Kad]

The only thing that isn't clear about the piece for me is the the final sequence of the last four songs, which blurs time, place, and character.

Otherwise, the separation of Hedwig and Tommy is distinct (in the show, the presence of the concert outside; in the film, the physical presence of Tommy in the world).

[Wee Thomas2]

Thank you, Jane.

We've seen this 3 times (last month in NYC, many years ago at the old ICA in Boston, and a semi-pro production about 3 years ago), plus the movie, and my wife and I disagree on this question.

Any analysis deeper than "it's pretty clear" would be appreciated.

Kad: Your reply came while I was typing the above. I totally agree that the movie leaves little question that they are separate people. But I can't quite figure out in the stage performance if the sounds through the open door are real or if they are in Hedwig's head. And Hedwig appearing as Tommy at the end adds to the confusion.

[Kad]

The revival has Yitzhak open the stage door to deliberately have the sounds of the concert enter the theatre.

Not to mention the presence of the projected images of Hedwig in a tabloid in relation to Tommy (which I believe is noted in the script, unlike having Yitzhak open the door which is a staging decision by Mayer).

[jnb9872]

The last sequence plays more like an impressionist sequence; Hedwig runs off and either re-emerges as Tommy or disappears and the actor playing Hedwig doubles as Tommy. It's not clear to me that the show, as written and produced, makes its intention obvious. It deliberately blurs that line, and so one is asked to reckon what to make of that sequence. Is it a mental breakdown for Hedwig/Tommy where trauma is exorcised onstage? Is the convention of Hedwig's one-night-only concert dismantled and we in the audience are transported to Tommy's cocnert outside? Has Hedwig left our theatre and Tommy entered, in a daze of self-discovery?

There are many possible interpretations to me, and while the most logical ones involve Tommy and Hedwig being distinct individuals, I can see how one could interpret it otherwise, as written and produced.