John Cameron Mitchell is Putting on the Gold Stilettos Once Again
Nora Dominick ‘17 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer
After nearly a month of speculation, Broadway’s 2014 Tony Winning Revival, Hedwig and the Angry Inch has found its next leading lady. Original Hedwig star and creator John Cameron Mitchell will don his signature blonde wig once again.
Mitchell will join the musical starting January 21st for an 8-week only engagement at the Belasco Theatre in NYC. He will join Lena Hall, who will continue her 2014 Tony Award winning performance as Yitzhak. Mitchell will take over the role of Hedwig from Broadway and Dexter star, Michael C. Hall, who will play the role until January 18th.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch is a musical comedy that tells the story of Hedwig, a transgender woman from East Berlin. Hedwig tells the story of her band “The Angry Inch,” her botched sex change operation, and the loves of her life through humorous stories and songs. With music and lyrics by Stephen Trask and a book by John Cameron Mitchell, this Broadway production features musical hits like “Sugar Daddy”, “The Origins of Love”, “Wig in a Box” and “Midnight Radio.”
Mitchell is very familiar with the role of Hedwig, but he is also no stranger to the Broadway stage. His claim to fame came in 1998 when he originated the iconic role of Hedwig Off-Broadway at the Jane Street Theatre. Along with Stephen Trask, he also wrote the book and the music for Hedwig that has become an essential piece of theatre. In 1998 he was nominated for a Drama Desk Award for his portrayal of the transgender character. He then went onto direct and star in the 2001 film adaptation of Hedwig and the Angry Inch for which he received a Golden Globe nomination, making Mitchell a creative force to be reckoned. More of his Broadway credits to note include The Secret Garden and Six Degrees of Separation.
With this revival of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, an entire new generation has been introduced to the amazing transgender rocker from East Berlin. According to broadway.com, in a statement about returning to the role nearly sixteen years later, Mitchell said, “I am in equal parts thrilled and terrified to be returning to Hedwig.” He went onto describe the role as “an expertly face-lifted ex-wife, she’s lured me back. The killer new work by Neil Patrick Harris, Andrew Rannells and Michael C. Hall have left much larger pumps to fill. Here’s hoping I don’t need a walker by the end of the run.”
For tickets visit http://hedwigbroadway.com/.