The Pollard’s “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” Phenomenal and Provocative
Matthew Alvin Brown as Hedwig (right foreground) and Renee Anderson as Yitzhak perform in “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”
“Hedwig and the Angry Inch” is a most provocative and unique story told in a delightfully tasteless rock and roll fashion that is based on shocking and somewhat horrific events. Hedwig is a tragic figure, yet he has made the most of the hard knocks in life, and he tells his story in a concert full of music and humor. The music is popular; the humor is dark and cruel. Nevertheless the story is uplifting. The show, directed by W. Jerome Stevenson is co-directed by Matthew Alvin Brown. Brown has a dual function as he and Anderson are doing the lead roles for the first half of the run. Brown has played Hedwig on several occasions alongside veteran actress, Renee Anderson and they kick off the opening reprising their previous great success. Midway through the second weekend of “Hedwig” there is a switch. The lead roles of Hedwig and husband, Yitzhak, will be played by Jared Blount and Beth Lipton, giving Brown the unique opportunity of expanding his interpretation through the performances of Blount and Lipton. “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” is being presented in association with the Tulsa Project Theatre where Brown is Artistic Director.
“Hedwig and the Angry Inch” first opened in 1998 to rave reviews, an Obie Award, and an Outer Critics Circle Award for off-Broadway Musical. The show, written by John Cameron Mitchell with music and lyrics by Stephen Trask has been extremely well received at each showing for the musicality and the controversial subject matter touching on universal tragedies and has earned four Tony Awards in 2014.
Matthew Alvin Brown as Hedwig
However, it is up to the performers to provide the universal appeal with their connectivity to the audience creating a bridge between lifestyles that differ to the broader understanding of the common human condition. Brown and Anderson do exactly that. Their performance is wonderful as they begin the opening weekend of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” with style, versatility, and music sure to thrill rock and roll fans, excite punk rockers and impress heavy metal devotees.
Stevenson has done a masterful job in directing both casts alongside the co-direction by Brown. The dual position serves to elevate the performance of Anderson opposite him as well as inspire the Blount/Lipton team. The other members of the cast are the band and they remain the same in all performances. Brown and Anderson will play the roles only through the 8:00 pm performance Saturday night, October 21. At 11:59 on that Saturday night Blount and Lipton take over the powerful roles of Hedwig and husband Yitzhak and as the curtain rises for the midnight show, a different cast will be seen.
Ordinarily it would be difficult to accurately predict the quality of Blount and Lipton in advance. However, Stevenson and Brown graciously allowed this writer the privilege of attending a rehearsal and that rehearsal opened a significant avenue of interpretation. Clearly, there is no way to top the performances of Brown and Anderson, Blount and Lipton must create a valuable interpretation that is separate yet with equal quality. It is immediately apparent that Blount and Lipton build a brand new bridge increasing empathy with the universal human condition experienced by Hedwig and husband. The play communicates with the same band on stage as well with the same wave-length reaching the audience. The performances are equally excellent, but unique to the new cast giving the show a slightly different but very valid perspective. Both casts are superb. It is easy to see this from the smiles on the faces of Stevenson and Brown as they relate to Blount and Lipton.
Renee Anderson as Yitzhak
In addition to the wonderful leadership from director to cast and crew, there is the significant contribution from the instrumental musicians in “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” the band. They include lead guitarist, Krzyzhtoff, played by Tristan Gfeller, bass guitarist, Jacek is Joel Anderson, pianist & guitarist Skszp is Jason Hunt and on drums is Schlatko, portrayed by Aaron Marshall. Their expertise in musicality and their understanding of both interpretative versions is amazing.
“Hedwig and the Angry Inch” is certainly not a show for general audiences–the subject matter is simply too adult to be appropriate for younger teens, or suitable for sensitive viewers. But it also isn’t just a radical raunchy rock opera about youthful rebellion, alternative lifestyles, sex, drugs and rock and roll. The point of the story is actually one to warm the hearts of loyal Americans including Reagan Democrats and Conservative Republicans living in the Bible belt. “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” is really about the universal yearning for freedom that drives us and the sacrifices that we are all willing to make in order to live in liberty.
“Hedwig and the Angry Inch” plays through October 28, 2017 at The Pollard Theatre at 120 W. Harrison in downtown Guthrie. The Curtain goes up at 8:00 pm for evening performances and 11:59 for the ‘midnight specials’ on Saturday nights. Visit online at www.thepollard.org or call the box office directly at 405-282-2800.
Bonus Material:
The Torch has been passed.
Matthew Alvin Brown and Renee Anderson end their run as Hedwig and Yitzhak in the magnificent production of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” as the incredible Jared Blount and Beth Lipton take over the roles for the remainder of the Pollard Theatre production.
This does not necessarily mean that Matthew Alvin Brown will never play Hedwig? Or Renee Anderson never to portray Yitzhak? Surely not, but it certainly does mean that they are not the only actors able to bring such surety and talent, understanding and voice to the roles. Another two talents continue on with their own tremendous interpretation: Equally valid, impressive and talented, Blount and Lipton bring new excitement and great pleasure to every audience!
On Saturday night Jillian Pritchard Ball, Editor and contributor at Oklahoma Art Scene and Hurd attended and adds her impressions of the performance. Here are the little things she wrote down:
“It’s amazing!!! Electric and entertaining down for the last guitar riff! …
Takes something personal, intimate, misunderstood and makes it universal. …
The volatile chemistry between Blount and Lipton’s characters are poison and perfection.”
(Sex and the City Joke)
“The snark, the style, the salacious entendres and satire…. I’m not a Carrie or a Miranda, I’m a Hedwig!”
(Jillian attended the midnight (11:59) performance with her mother.)
“My mother loved the show so much. She was amazed at the big talent in this little town, and the true community in the theatre. She wants to come to more ‘as long as they aren’t all at midnight’ haha”
🙂