Hedwig and the Angry Inch: Michael C. Hall extends run
Golden Globe winner Michael C. Hall extends his role as 'Hedwig' in the Tony Award-winning musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch by two weeks and will now star through to 18 Jan 2015.
Hall took over the title role from Tony nominee Andrew Rannells on 16 Oct 2014 for a limited engagement that was originally scheduled to end on 4 January 2015. He continues to perform opposite Tony winner Lena Hall, who continues in the role of 'Yitzhak'.
Michael C. Hall is perhaps best known for his television career, in particular for his role as "Dexter Morgan" in the long-running drama series "Dexter", as well as the role of "David Fisher" in "Six Feet Under". His film credits include "Paycheck" (2003), "Gamer" (2009), "Kill Your Darlings" (2013) and "Cold In July" (2014). Hall was last seen on the Broadway stage this year as 'John Jones' in 'The Realistic Joneses'. He has also played the role of 'Emcee' in 'Cabaret' in 1999, as well as 'Billy Flynn' in 'Chicago' in 2002.
Casting for the next Hedwig will be announced in the coming weeks, though rumors are that John Cameron Mitchell will be the next actor to don those blonde wigs and high heels on Broadway. Mitchell, who wrote the book for Hedwig and the Angry Inch, originated the role when the musical had its world premiere at Off-Broadway's Jane Street Theatre in 1998. He wad also nominated for a Golden Globe Award for his performance in the 2001 film adaptation, which he also wrote and directed.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch originally opened at the Belasco Theatre on 22 April 2014, following previews from 29 March. It is directed by Tony Award-winner Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening), with choreography by Spencer Liff ("So You Think You Can Dance").
The production took home this year's Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical and has seen increased demand for tickets since the telecast, which saw Neil Patrick Harris take home his first Tony Award for his portrayal of transgender Hedwig. Lena Hall also took home the award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical.
The show opened to excellent reviews, with critics praising the show, partly due to Patrick Harris' central performance: "Shamelessly enjoyable show. ... one of the few unqualified pleasures of this Broadway spring" (NYTimes); "Frisky, unapologetically raunchy fable of love, loss, fury and freedom" (NY Daily News).
Hedwig and the Angry Inch tells the story of an "internationally ignored' rock singer, Hedwig (Harris), and her search for stardom and love. Born a boy named Hansel whose life's dream is to find his other half, Hedwig reluctantly submits to a sex change operation in order to marry an American G.I. and get over the Berlin Wall to freedom. The operation is botched, leaving her with the aforementioned 'angry inch.'"
The musical comedy began off-off-Broadway at Westbeth and then ran over two years at the Jane Street Theatre beginning in Feb 1998. The musical won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical and both John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask won Obies. Rolling Stone called it "the Best Rock Musical Ever" in 2001. It won a 1998 New York Magazine Award and Entertainment Weekly's "Soundtrack of the Year" Award. Time Magazine named Hedwig and the Angry Inch the Top Musical of 1998.
The film of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, directed by John Cameron Mitchell, won the Audience Award and Best Director Awards at Sundance. John Cameron Mitchell won the Best New Director from the National Board of Review, the Gotham Awards, and the LA Critics Society.
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