An audience member walking into Hedwig and the Angry Inch for the first time may not expect much. Outside of the staff at Chance Theater offering earplugs, there are not a lot of clues as to what the one-act musical will be. On stage when entering is a basic rock band set-up. The microphones donned with naked dolls as the instruments are presented in a cacophony of disarray. Will this be a simple “rock opera” where everything is sung before a crowd, or will there be something greater that unfolds? As is the magic of all shows with Off-Broadway origins, this is a show that does more with less, resulting in a character study that provokes deep thought about what it means to be human.
If that sounds too stuffy, just know that it’s also a wickedly funny show as well. Much like the Los Angeles dive bar that this story takes place in, the band emerges from the side while waving to its unsuspecting public. Each is dressed in their own eccentric take on glam rock with the most flamboyant being none other than their lead singer Hedwig (Tom Avery), who enters with a thick German accent and a dictionary full of sexual innuendos. The smile will take many forms over the following show, but for now, it’s one pleading for everyone to clap and fill the void. There is a need for approval that at first seems like a generic rock show get-up. However, it’s much more complicated than that.
Without revealing too many moments, the show is a diversion for some serious venting on Hedwig’s part. It’s a love story, but also one of a German-born refugee during the Cold War who found inspiration from David Bowie while living in a complicated family dynamic. The jokes are designed as much to maintain a light, cabaret-style mood as they are to convey how Hedwig is slowly revealing some greater truths. The set changes minutely as things progress, revealing deeper and more naked truths about the rockstar that will do anything for applause. She is the ingenue who has led others to stadium rock performances… but what about her? The title of the show references a botched surgery, which is one of the many conflicts Hedwig must learn to deal with as the years carry on and it becomes clear how distant she is from her past.
Credit must be given to Chase Theater’s simple stage design. With very limited space, it conveys the feeling of Hedwig wandering to different corners as if in a theater piece. Avery’s performance features a charismatic mix of high energy and vulnerable exchanges that are handled like a tightrope act… often against themselves. There is a world unseen that Hedwig brings to life, showing not only the power of music but the importance of storytelling. The façade eventually fades, leaving something less performative on display. Even then, the reveals don’t come without their own abstraction. As a post-show Q&A confirms, the cast differs on what the ending actually means. Even then, Hedwig’s “reality” and “fantasy” are constantly at odds, coming through in phenomenal rock numbers like the frenetic duet that’s coded as a couple arguing with “Exquisite Corpse.” At another point, Hedwig leads the audience in a singalong after donning them in wigs as words project at the back of the stage. It’s a small way that everything begins to feel communal and the oddity that is Hedwig begins to seem more human.
If there’s any criticism, it’s that the show often feels too much like a rock performance. The rawness allows for a unique energy that drives the show beautifully. However, it also means that some of the sound mixing leaves some vocals a bit uncertain in more aggressive numbers. It’s not enough of a deal breaker and adds to some fun authenticity but may keep more hearing-impaired viewers from understanding the entire tale. With that said, it’s a simple enough story and the cast does an excellent job of capturing everything with a solid force. It was also mentioned that the band hadn’t played together before this show, which makes everything more of a miracle. It may be loud and fast, but that doesn’t mean it lacks a downright admirable dedication.
While more prudish audience members may not be quick to love Hedwig as a character, it can be argued that they plead their case by the time the show ends. For all the crass humor and exuberant showmanship, there is ultimately an individual searching for connection underneath it all. Beyond any queer themes or identity struggles that the show tackles, it’s a beautiful story about survival. Nobody would expect a show that starts with such a jolt to leave you in tears, but it does. It's not because it’s a tragedy, but a tale of hope and searching for a greater understanding of how to move forward.
Chance Theater is a reliable name in quality theater, and this is a great addition to their season. It’s a story that doesn’t sound amazing on paper, but manages to sell itself thanks to a game cast whose youthful energy allows the brisk pacing to happen without breaking a sweat. They understand how to breathe life into the unconventional, even turning a simple concert venue set-up into a vast landscape of emotional exploration. It’s also at times an interactive show, allowing these characters to feel real. Maybe they’re playing at a bar just up the street. Wherever they are, there’s a sense that they’re pushing through and making the most of things. It shines through in each performance, even if it’s merely as a comic folly. The show works because of this and encourages the audience to wonder next time they’re there what the full story is. Maybe they won’t be as interesting as Hedwig, but who knows. Maybe they will have a reason to sing another song to a room barely paying attention. Just lean forward and find out for yourself.
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