Hedwig

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 10/12/14 at 7:30am

I know Rocky Horror is the bigger drag/cross dress hit here, but has the show been done at all in London? I wonder if they will ever transfer the current Broadway version to do a short run in London??

[luke-h***]

Posted: 10/12/14 at 9:52am

It ran in 2000 at the Playhouse with Michael Cerveris. Only for about two months, but has had a short life on tour, and believe had a successful Edinburgh Fringe run a few years ago.

I would love to see this excellent production in London, however, I don't think it's likely. The Broadway production has very successfully cast good Hedwig's (to my knowledge, haven;t seen Rannells or Hall) who also have a star quality that sells tickets.

I'd like to see Raul Esparza or Daniel Radcliffe tackle it. Only the latter would sell tickets over here.

[72arodney]

Posted: 10/12/14 at 8:12pm

There was a production starring David Bedella in 2005 playing a couple of short seasons at Heaven and Two2Much.

[Phantom of London]

Posted: 10/13/14 at 5:30am

I beT David Badella was actually quite good then.

But noe there is only one Hedwig and that is Neil Patrick Harris, no chance of him reprising his role in London.

[ajh]

Posted: 10/13/14 at 2:58pm

I'm sorry but I think saying there is only one Hedwig and that is Neil Patrick Harris is a bit much. If that were true they would have closed the B'way production when he left. I didn't see him but I DID see Andrew Rannells late in his run and he was spectacular, capturing all of the pathos, humour, rock-chick-ness, star quality and outrageousness that the role requires. Vocally he nailed it and it was impossible to take your eyes off him. He was so good that he almost, but not quite, succeeded in obliterating my memories of Michael Cerveris' astounding performance in the original London staging.

I also saw Bedella in the production at Heaven and was so disappointed with him: crudely acted, indifferently sung and crucially lacking any vulnerability whatsoever. I admire David Bedella and I can't imagine Satan in Jerry Springer The Opera ever being played better and I loved him in Rocky Horror (his Frank was like Shirley Bassey on crack) but he doesn't do vulnerable (similar problem with him in the Menier Torch Song Trilogy) and Hedwig can and should break your heart. Mitchell, Cerveris and Rannells certainly did.

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 10/14/14 at 1:05am

I saw Andrew quite late in his run too and was very impressed.... which got me really interested as to how Neil Patrick Harris played it as I thought NPH would be better (winning Tonys and all), so I bought the cast recording and there's a full bootleg video on YT. I know it's unfair to judge him purely from a bootleg, but I have to say, I'm glad I saw Andrew instead... Andrew definitely sang the score much better than him, actually Andrew's singing Hedwig is similarly good as JCM. And Andrew brought such rawness and likability to Hedwig that I really sympathized with him, more so than NPH's. I was so impressed with Andrew I went along to watch him again before I left NYC and it was worth it... he loosened up much more and was having so much fun with the audience... and I loved him saying 'fxxk' so much, it was just so hilarious coming from him hahaha.

Anyway... someone suggest Richard Fleeshman as Charlie in Kinky Boots... how about Richard as Hedwig? I think he can sing the hell out of that score!

[ajh]

Posted: 10/14/14 at 8:11am

Completely agree with you, ruthiefan_felix I consider myself very lucky to have seen AR as Hedwig, especially given what a short season he did. Am not seriously considering if I can justify the expense of going to see Michael C Hall.

And I think Richard Fleeshman is a great idea as Charlie in KB!!!

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 10/14/14 at 2:24pm

Harris is not the only Hedwig people care about, the role was not written for him and many have played him before and will play him after.

My company is in talks to get the rights to stage the show here in Manchester but we have been told we may have to wait as the current Broadway production has the option of a London run and international tour.

[bob8rich]

Posted: 10/14/14 at 2:33pm

I'm off to New York in a few weeks time. Will be seeing 8 shows - but I have to be honest this is not on my list of shows to see. Nothing I've seen or heard has inspired my interest at all. I know all the reviews etc have been very raves - but just not my taste, I guess.

Updated On: 10/14/14 at 02:33 PM

[72arodney]

Posted: 10/14/14 at 9:01pm

Bob, there are some beautiful songs in this show...

[ruthiefan_felix]

Posted: 10/15/14 at 2:34am

Bob, I originally thought so too... but I think this production is worth checking out definitely! Cabaret, Cinderella for me were highlights too!

[bob8rich]

Posted: 10/15/14 at 3:43am

It's the songs that are the problem lol - I listened to a number of the songs on youtube and did not like anything I heard. As I said, just not my taste. I also tried watching the movie a few years ago and switched off about 30 minutes in coz I was simply not enjoying it.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 10/21/14 at 4:24pm

It is a unique show and definitely not for everyone's tastes, especially those more inclined toward conventional musicals. I saw it with NPH and it was by far one of the best productions I've ever seen on Broadway of anything. I had previously liked the score and the film, but wasn't a crazy fan about it or anything and Broadway was my first time seeing the show on stage. It was such a different experience and I never expected to be as overwhelmed by the piece as I was, especially Lena Hall's performance and the dreamlike finale.

But yeah, I know a few friends who would probably not enjoy it all. Different strokes and all that jazz.

[darreyl102]

Posted: 10/24/14 at 1:25am

@Phantom of London- But noe there is only one Hedwig and that is Neil Patrick Harris, no chance of him reprising his role in London.

UNLESS you have seen every actor that has done it, at least professionally, then you can't really say that....