Re-published with permission of The Umbrella Arts Center
Hedwig & the Angry Inch runs January 18 – February 9, 2019 at The Umbrella Annex, 57 Old Road to Nine Acre Corner (ORNAC) in Concord, MA. Adult, student, senior and group tickets are available online at https://theumbrellaarts.org/theater or by calling 978-371-0820.
Note that Hedwig & the Angry Inch is appropriate for adult audiences only.
In the black box theater of The Umbrella Annex at 57 ORNAC, there's a stage injected with the spirit of grunge and glam – this is where the cast of Hedwig and the Angry Inch have been rehearsing. Opening January 18, The Umbrella's first theatre production of 2019, the show is a bold choice, says Brian Boruta, show producer.
"Concord's never seen anything like it, and that's kind of my mission in life," says Boruta. "I'm excited for local and regional audiences to see that…I'm going to love watching the audience watch the show."
As soon as Hedwig hits the stage in her gold stilettos, the space comes to life. Hedwig is an "internationally ignored" rock 'n' roll goddess from East Berlin who is the victim of a botched sex-change operation.
The character of Hedwig Robinson was created by playwright John Cameron Mitchell, and was inspired by Mitchell's family babysitter. The show's music and lyrics were crafted by Stephen Trask. The first production opened Off-Broadway in 1998.
BEAUTIFUL AND MESSY
"When I first knew Hedwig existed, it was just the most exciting thing," says Kirk Vanda, who plays Hedwig. "The character is simultaneously so beautiful and sad; all the things that make you root for her, but it's not great, she's messy. She's a beautiful, messy character."
Casting began in November, and dress rehearsal followed soon after. Director Julia Deter says that she knew Vanda was the right fit when he came to rehearsal with no script in front of him, already improvising and ready to go.
"One of the reasons we cast Kirk is Hedwig needs to be able to riff and improv, and Kirk is amazing at that," says Deter.
Vanda stars alongside Vanessa Calantropo and Shani Farrell, who alternate performances playing the role of Yitzhak, Hedwig's husband and roadie. With such a small cast, each actor plays a large part in carrying the show home.
"Each Hedwig has revised the role and affected how it's performed," says Boruta. "The script goes out the window."
In a unique combination of stand-up show and rock concert, the show changes depending on the demographic of the audience, too.
RELEVANT FOR TODAY'S AUDIENCE
"It's the beauty of the show. It's got to feel very organic," says David Wright, music director. "We're putting on a fresh social commentary piece. To be able to think about how what they're saying relates to what's going on today…There's a lot of ebb and flow in what Julie's brought to it."
As Hedwig retells her life story for the audience, she doles out musical numbers with glamour and grunge, cracking jokes that sit on the precipice of vulgar and comedic.
"The show gets into some fringe stuff," says Boruta. "I think a lot of these themes are being discussed more openly now, but the way in this show that it's happening is punk and grunge."
The show resonated with audiences early on; the 1998 show won the Obie Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical, and more recently, the 2014 Broadway revival starring Neil Patrick Harris was awarded four Tony Awards.
BRINGING THE AUDIENCE INSIDE…AND ALONG FOR THE RIDE
When it comes to the production process, Deter has been focused on throwing the crew's own elements and ideas into the production, comedic riffs and all.
"It's not a musical in any construct we've seen before. It's its own animal," she says. "It's more stream of conscious…Kirk goes off script, it's a sensory experience."
"The only safety you have is that my mike cord is 50 feet long," teases Vanda.
An element which proved important for show producer Boruta was creating an interactive stage space. One thing to look out for will be a bar where audience members will be able to order drinks during the show, and audience positioning that's reminiscent of a nightclub.
"I was imagining it taking place at Jacques Cabaret downtown, this little cultish club," says Boruta. "The performers talk to the bartenders and the audience. The band is part of the show…We transform this space into something special."
After talking to the crew, it's clear that what everyone is most excited about though, is giving another voice to the character of Hedwig.
"I hope folks come along for the ride," says Vanda. "It's not a character you get to hear much of. I want to see more queer characters."
For Deter, the self-reflective nature of Hedwig is a big part of the show which she hopes audiences can connect with.
"I'm excited to hear what people walk away with," adds Deter. "Or what jumps out at them about the story…it's a self-reflection character."
About The Company
The Umbrella Performing Arts is part of the expansive Umbrella Community Arts Center (formerly Emerson Umbrella), a multifunction 501(c)3 nonprofit arts organization founded in 1983 in Concord, MA. Its fast-growing theater company earned 31 DASH Theater Award nominations last season, winning in 11 categories, including Best Lead Actor, Best Ensemble Performance (Play and Musical), Best Musical Direction, Best Director (Musical), and Best Production (Play and Musical). Its 2017-2018 season is being staged in its temporary space at The Umbrella Annex during the construction of a new, multi-theater Performing Arts wing at the Umbrella's 40 Stow Street arts complex.
Molly Cohen is a freelance writer focused on the arts, whose favorite feature interviews have been with designers and artists.
