Over the years, Actor’s Express has staged scores of LGBTQ productions, but one that has been especially popular for them is the landmark “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.” Mounted in 2002 and 2008, the musical is now getting a third production as part of the company’s 35th anniversary season.
According to Freddie Ashley, the company’s artistic director, he always thought he’d circle back around to “Hedwig” at some point.
“I feel like the character has become something of an old friend in a way and it’s also a show that is always ready for new exploration,” he said. “Right now, given how conversations about gender and gender expression have evolved, it seemed like a great opportunity to revisit the character in a more contemporary context and see what else there is to unpack, given where we are culturally.”
With lyrics by Stephen Trask and a book by John Cameron Mitchell, who also played the lead role of the titular rock singer seeking love and stardom as former lover Tommy Gnosis has become a sensation, “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” debuted off-Broadway in 1998 and the film version came out in 2001. Neil Patrick Harris played the title character when the musical finally landed on Broadway in 2014.
Two performers will play the lead role here: Christina Leidel, seen in the company’s “Lizzie,” and Niko Carleo, featured in Express’ “Heathers” and “Urinetown.” Isa Martinez also stars as Yitzhak. The production is directed by Quinn Xavier Hernandez.
Ashley loved the idea of having rotating Hedwigs.
“One thing that we talked about looking at is unpacking the show differently with two performers of different gender expressions and genders, playing the character in tandem and what that might unlock about the experience of the show and how we encounter the character,” he said.
Carleo came around late to “Hedwig.”
“I only in the last year or so began recognizing as gender queer and the second I…
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