Sunday Special: From Mitchell to Hall - Former Stars of HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH
By: BWW Special Coverage Oct. 19, 2014
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HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, with book by John Cameron Mitchell and music and lyrics by Stephen Trask, continues its in-your-face freshman run on Broadway at the Belasco Theatre. The production won four 2014 Tony Awards and numerous other accolades, but the musical had much humbler beginnings before becoming the cult phenomenon it is today.
Michael C. Hall, who joined HEDWIG as the lead last week, is the latest in a long line of fabulous 'Hedwigs', from the show's creator John Cameron Mitchell, to its first female star Ally Sheedy, to the many men of its off-Broadway years.
Scroll down to learn about the actors who have taken on the role of 'Hedwig Robinson,' rocking audiences with tales of "her life, her loves, and the botched operation that left her with that 'angry inch'!"
Off-Broadway
John Cameron Mitchell
In 1998, Mitchell teamed with composer Stephen Trask to write the Obie-winning musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch, in which he also starred as 'Hedwig'. Three years later, Mitchell directed and starred in the movie version and was nominated for a Golden Globe. His creation spawned a cult following across the globe and paved the way for future 'Hedwigs,' each with her own flare.
Anthony Rapp
You might know him as 'Mark' from the original production of RENT, and now 'Lucas' opposite Idina Menzel in IF/THEN, but Rapp made quite an impression as 'Hedwig' at Pittsburgh's City Theatre in 2003.
Michael Cerveris (and West End)
Cerveris, who last starred on Broadway in EVITA, took on the role of the "internationally ignored song stylist" off-Broadway for a few months in both 1998 and 1999 and flew his interpretation across the pond in 2000 in HEDWIG's West End debut.
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Donovan Leitch
Glam-rocker Leitch (son of folk-rock composer Donovan) first starred as 'Hedwig' off-Broadway in 1999 and took part in a 2006 production at The Roxy in Hollywood, which featured several different actors in the lead role. He returned to Los Angeles for a revival of the musical in 2012.
Ally Sheedy
Sheedy -- known as the 'the basket case' from THE BREAKFAST CLUB -- took over the lead role in the off-Broadway production in 1999. She was the first female to play the part of the German transsexual, but her run in the show was marred by less-than-stellar reviews and a controversial early depature.
Kevin Cahoon
Cahoon made his Broadway debut in THE WHO'S TOMMY -- good prep for taking on 'Hedwig' off-Broadway and in Boston, Edinburgh and San Francisco. He (along with Leitch) is featured in the documentary WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT: THE TRUE STORY OF HEDWIG.
Asa Somers
Somers (THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, TABOO, DANCE OF THE VAMPIRES) was one of the many actors to star in HEDWIG off-Broadway. Like Cahoon, he eventually appeared San Francisco's long-running production at the Victoria Theatre in 2003.
Matt McGrath
McGrath replaced Sheedy as 'Hedwig' off-Broadway in 2000 (Sheedy exited two months early after a troubled run in the show). He played the 'Master of Ceremonies' in CABARET on Broadway that same year.
Broadway
Neil Patrick Harris
Harris, who we just learned will be hosting the Oscars this season, strutted HEDWIG's stilettos straight to Broadway in 2014 and took home both the Tony and Drama Desk awards for Best Actor in a Musical.
Andrew Rannells
Rannells, best known as 'Elder Price' from THE BOOK OF MORMON, shrugged off that do-gooder persona for a spicier role as 'Hedwig' after Harris's departure.
Michael C. Hall
And finally, DEXTER's Hall joined the Broadway production just last week at the Belasco Theatre. Like previous 'Hedwigs' Harris and McGrath, Hall has also appeared onstage as the 'Master of Ceremonies' in CABARET. After that, who wouldn't crave the spotlight again?
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