Hedwig's future

[dreaming]

Good one!

I have heard a couple of rumors.

[Alix]

"Alix-he's gone on record saying he doesn't want to do it."

Look, I’m not saying it’s LIKELY (although I did see a recent interview with him that implied it’s not entirely off the table). A girl can dream, right? :)

[LightsOut90]

isnt there some equity rule against less then seven shows a week? (Unless its a concert or standup engagement)

[dreaming]

I don't know. Maybe they'll put more performances up and get an alternate. However, I doubt they would go against Equity rules (guessing they checked all of this out beforehand).

[haterobics]

"I don't know."

That sums up all of today's posts rather succinctly.

[Whatshisname]

Billie Joe Armstrong

[dreaming]

That would totally get me going. That's brilliant.

[AEA AGMA SM]

"isnt there some equity rule against less then seven shows a week? (Unless its a concert or standup engagement)"

No, there is no rule that states a minimum number of performances that must take place each week. However, there is no reduction in the minimum salary for the cast if they do schedule less than eight. The only time they can pay less than the minimum salary is if the closing week is prorated because they choose to not play out the full week, and have provided at least two weeks closing notice to the cast.

[Wick3]

Maybe Andrew Rannells extended to November?

[Phillypinto]

wait what girl played hedwig?!?

[ghostlight2]

^^^Ally Sheedy, who did not fare well. I don't think that her failure necessarily means that no woman can take on the role, though casting a woman wouldn't necessarily be a choice I would make. Amanda Palmer, maybe

"Cheyenne is a little too muscular for the role. (I think he looks too 'manly'-you really need someone who Luther could mistake for a girl.) "

I don't think anyone could ever mistake Michael Cerveris for a girl under ANY circumstances, and imo (and many others), he was very good, possibly even better than JCM. I think he would revisit the role if he had the time (he did a one night only version for his dresser a couple years back), but I don't see him selling many tickets. I'd go, and Jane2, probably - but who else?

Can't see Cheyenne as Hedwig for a lot of reasons.

[Jane2]

I'd definitely go. And btw, the Ally Sheedy stint was SO abysmal that I don't believe any other woman will be cast as Hedwig unless no one cares if the show does well or not. It isn't worth the gamble.

[Auggie27]

For the record, Cerveris was brilliant. Scary, freaky, and in the closing moments, unlike any other I've seen (no, I didn't see HPH). His odd appearance -- the make-up seemed even more mask-like -- contributed to the poignancy of the character's plight. But I've always found less obviously beautiful drag performers more compelling, too.

[haterobics]

"I'd go, and Jane2, probably - but who else?"

On this board, probably a lot of people...

[Jane2]

Given that JCM is the definitive Hedwig, I liked Michael the best. He wasn't the prettiest Hedwig, but that worked out fine, as he excelled in many ways.

JCM himself stated, when he asked Cerveris to take over the role, that Michael sang the role better than he himself did.

Also, Michael had a way of emoting, even over-emoting, that worked for me.

His ad-libs were the best. My favorite - "Is there a doctor in the house? These people don't seem to have pulses." (on a night with a non responsive audience).

His Wicked Little Town reprise was breathtaking. With his bald head, twisting and gyrating body and heartfelt histrionics, made him appear as an alien from another planet. It truly was a transformation. NO other one came near the effect of that one.

For me, Michael was the most believable Hedwig. He kept the accent throughout, and every emotion was felt pretty intensely.

[FindingNamo]

Since I saw the Cerveris's Hedwig, I'll pretty much follow him anywhere.

Let's not forget he probably has Fun Home coming up.

[ajh]

Couldn't agree more, FindingNamo. Michael Cerveris' Hedwig is one of the top ten performances I've ever seen live on stage; absolutely enthralling.
Am really looking forward to seeing Andrew Rannells but MC blew my mind.

[dreaming]

Michael Cerveris was my first Hedwig (I did subsequently see JCM) but Michael was the role for me. Maybe it's because he was my first Hedwig, but I thought his voice, acting choices, everything, really were just perfect. I wish they had re-recorded it with him as I loved his delivery ("Wig in a Box" and "Wicked Little Town" are my favorite songs with him).

I wish he could do a stint, but for a variety of reasons, it's highly unlikely.

Billie Joe Armstrong would be AMAZING. That would totally blow my mind. I think he'd be perfect.

[haterobics]

[macnyc]

If Fun Home isn't scheduled to start until, what, March, wouldn't Cerveris in theory have time to do a two-month Hedwig stint? I know he has other things on his calendar, though. I would love to see him in the role.

[Jane2]

I wonder if he has the same energy. At the end of his "Angry Inch" number, he ran into the audience up the center aisle, and then turned, ran, and made a flying summersault leap back onto the stage. Something no one else did, and we all looked forward to it every night!

He was 39 then.

[dreaming]

It would be fun to find out, Jane! I bet he could-he just seems to have boundless energy-in everything I've seen him in since Hedwig, he's been incredible.

[gstrus2]

I wonder when they will announce the new Hedwig. They announced Andrew on June 12, more than 2 months before he started on August 20. The new Hedwig will start October 15, so it is already less than 2 months. How long do they need to rehearse, a month or so maybe? Hopefully they announce soon, I'm very anxious to find out who the next one will be!

[Jane2]

dreaming, I tend to think that neither JCM nor M. Cerveris wants to do Hedwig again, but if they should.....well, I'll be pulling some strings!!!!

[dreaming]

Jane-If it was Michael Cerveris, I'd be sold. That said, I don't think he's going to do it. JCM has said he doesn't want to return.

[Jane2]

I think there's more of a chance that JCM would do it than there is of MC doing it. I actually wouldn't be shocked if JCM does take that stage. Can you imagine?