Review: HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH at the Buell Theatre

There's nothing like a rock musical led by a genderqueer German named Hedwig. Absolutely nothing.

My history with Hedwig and the Angry Inch stems from my sister's obsession with the movie, with repeat references to a "cahhh waaashh, ladies and gentlemen" and "goomy bears" popping up since I was in my early teens. I feel like a lot of people don't realize the film is based on a 1998 stage musical that was very ahead of its time.

The most recent Broadway production, initially led by Tony-winning duo Neil Patrick Harris and Lena Hall, was the first Broadway incarnation of the piece, also nabbing awards for Best Revival and Best Costume Design. Since Harris, Hedwigs included Taye Diggs, Michael C. Hall, Andrew Rannells, and lately Darren Criss, who just left the tour. Denver's production is led by Euan Morton, with Hannah Corneau as her husband/roadie/bandmate Yitzhak.

With a book by John Cameron Mitchell and music by Stephen Trask, the show is almost in a category of its own. Originally performed by Mitchell himself (on stage and film), Hedwig is essentially a concert. Joined by her band, the Angry Inch (a reference to the current state of her genitalia), Hedwig is playing a show on the set of The Hurt Locker: The Musical, which closed at intermission the night before. Just down the street is her former lover, Tommy Gnosis, who's playing down the street at the Pepsi Center.

You see, Hedwig wrote all of Tommy's music, and then he abandoned her, taking her work and claiming it as his own. This was after Hedwig (formally Hansel) fled East Berlin with her sugar daddy, who requested she remove her boy parts, leaving an "angry inch." Essentially, Hedwig is genderless, or genderqueer, but I'll leave the research up to you. Hedwig has led an interesting life.

Morton, Scottish-born, was nominated for several awards back in 2003 for his portrayal of Boy George in the cult-followed Taboo, which was out around the same time Wicked and Avenue Q premiered. (Check out the documentary ShowBusiness: A Road to Broadway for that story. It's fascinating.)

And what a treat for Denver audiences to see chameLeon Morton transform himself into Hedwig. While it's great previous productions have led with star-powered names, Morton brings a dominance all his own. His Hedwig is perfection, arguably the best next to creator Mitchell himself. If you're going to see a Hedwig, see Morton.

But not without his partner Corneau, who inhabits Yitzhak like she's known him her whole life. Her vocals are mesmerizing, and she's so good you'll forget she's a woman.

Just to clear a little confusion, Hedwig is played by a man portraying a genderqueer who identifies mainly female. The character of Yitzhak is played by a woman portraying an actual man-no drag.

Just see it. You'll get it.

The intermissionless show is captivating, drawing on a range of emotions with music you'll want to hear again and again. Songs like Tear Me Down and Angry Inch are electric, while Wicked Little Town and Midnight Radio will reach down into your soul.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch plays the Buell Theatre at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts through Sunday, Dec, 11. Tickets are available at Denver Center.org or by calling (303)893-4100.

Photos by Joan Marcus

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