**/***** I have to admit, I was shocked to discover that Hedwig and the Angry Inch has been around since 1998. Somehow, I had never seen it. I did know that Neil Patrick Harris starred in the Broadway revival in 2014, but beyond that, I had absolutely no idea what the show was about.So, when I heard that Chicago’s newest theater company, Catalyst Theatre Company, was producing it, I decided to attend opening night. I had heard plenty of stories about the show over the years, but they were all secondhand. Since I didn’t know what to expect, I decided to go by myself and experience it with an open mind.In a nutshell, Hedwig and the Angry Inch is a rock musical featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Trask and a book by John Cameron Mitchell. The story follows Hedwig Robinson, a genderqueer East German singer fronting a fictional rock band. Kyle Reid Haas delivers an outstanding performance as Hedwig, capturing the character’s emotional struggles and complicated journey growing up behind the Iron Curtain in Communist East Berlin.
The production also stars Sage Reid Priest as Yitzhak and Tommy Gnosis as “Z.” What makes this production unique is that all three performers rotate the role of Hedwig throughout the run, giving audiences three distinct interpretations of the character. If you see the show more than once, you’ll experience a different perspective each time.
Without giving away too much of the story, Hedwig’s life is shaped by love, sacrifice, identity, and missed opportunities. She marries Yitzhak, performs as a drag artist in East Berlin, falls in love with an American soldier, and ultimately leaves Germany. When the Berlin Wall comes crashing down, Hedwig is left wondering how different life might have been had she stayed. Much of the storytelling is carried through the music rather than traditional dialogue, so paying attention to the lyrics is essential.
I can certainly understand why audiences under 45 connect with this show. To me, it feels like a modern-day Rocky Horror Picture Show blended with punk rock, glam rock, and themes of identity, acceptance, and social activism. It has developed a devoted cult following for good reason.
Personally, however, I don’t think I was the target audience. While I appreciated the performances and the music, the overall style simply wasn’t for me. In fact, I honestly believe much of the Broadway revival’s success—and its Tony Award recognition—was helped considerably by Neil Patrick Harris taking on the title role. Others may disagree, but that’s my impression after finally seeing the show.
Director Arlo Kiss deserves credit for putting a fresh spin on the production rather than duplicating the Broadway version. It’s always refreshing when a company brings its own vision to a well-known work instead of simply copying what has already been done.
The music was one of the production’s strongest elements. Musical Director Jonathan James deserves special recognition for bringing energy and life to the score. Even if the story isn’t your style, the rock music is undeniably entertaining.
The performance runs approximately 80 minutes with no intermission, which I felt was the perfect length for this production.
Single tickets are $35. For theatergoers interested in seeing all three actors’ interpretations of Hedwig, Catalyst offers a special package for $85. The production runs through July 26 at Catalyst Ranch Theatre, 648 W. Randolph Street in Chicago. One helpful tip: the entrance to the theater is located in the back of the building.
Whether you’re already a longtime fan of Hedwig and the Angry Inch or, like me, are finally seeing it for the first time after hearing about it for years, this production offers an energetic, musically driven experience that certainly gives audiences something to talk about.
Presented by JK Entertainment
“Hedwig and the Angry Inch” will continue Thru – Jul 26th with performances as follows:
Thursdays 7:00pm
Fridays 7:00pm
Saturdays 7:00pm
Sundays 2:00pm
For tickets, info@jkentertainment.org
To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”.
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