The acclaimed, awarded Broadway production of Hedwig and
the Angry Inch is currently benefitting from addition by subtraction. Neil
Patrick Harris is gone, and he's understandably taken some star quality with
him, but that's not necessarily a bad development. Currently filling out the
wig and heels is Andrew Rannells, who, despite being the original star of the
most successful musical in recent memory (The Book of Mormon), is not
a huge name--or persona--in his own right. Whereas the awareness that you were
watching a star playing a role was inescapable in Harris' interpretation of the
"internationally ignored song stylist" who escaped communism and
repression with a botched sex change, Rannells burrows deep into the character,
wringing layer upon broken layer of meaning from John Cameron Mitchell's
still-brilliant score. His voice is perfect--equal parts rock-tinged, poppy,
and Broadway-beautiful--and his manner conveys an earthy sexuality that just
feels so right for the role. It's a virtuoso performance that captivates the
audience (now smaller, but no less fervent in its adoration) for the entire
intermissionless performance. Michael Mayer's production and Spencer Liff's
choreography remain boring and uninspired, and while Lena Hall is
unquestionably excellent as Hedwig's husband/back-up singer Yitzhak, I still
don't see it as a Tony-worthy role. Rannells continues as Hedwig through
October 12; catch him while he's there.
[Running Time: 1 hour and 45 minutes, without intermission. Rear balcony seats, $37.]
2 comments:
It's always interesting when an understudy or replacement lead brings a better performance and more depth to the character than the actor originally selected. Jason Whooten did this for Jekyll and Hyde, in my opinion.
Yes, I've had a few experiences where a replacement certainly surpassed the original. For me, Rannells just seemed much better suited to the role than Harris.
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