STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK
PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE SPOT
It’s a cross between a standup-comedy show and a rock concert, and it’s gained a cult following exceeded only by “The Rocky Horror Show.”
It is “Hedwig & the Angry Inch,” and it kicks off tonight at The Spot, 220 Lewis St. in Ketchum.
The musical written by John Cameron Mitchell with songs by Stephen Trask explores questions of gender and identity. It was first staged as an off-Broadway musical in 1998 and eventually moved to Broadway.
The Spot’s version, which stars Kevin Wade and Yanna Lantz, follows a genderqueer East German rock and roll goddess named Hedwig who tells the audience she was “a slip of a girlyboy” longing for attention from an emotionally distant mother as she grew up on the wrong side of The Wall in East Berlin.
She took solace in western rock music, becoming particularly fascinated with Aristophanes’ story, “The Origin of Love,” which purports that three sets of human beings once existed: Children of the Sun, or man and man attached; Children of the Earth,” or woman and woman attached, and “Children of the Moon,” a man and woman attached.
When Zeus and other angry gods split them in two, they were left yearning for their other half, sings Hedwig, who admits she likewise has been on a lifelong quest for her pre-destined soulmate.
Hedwig falls in love with an American G.I., which she alludes to in the song “Sugar Daddy,” and he convinces her to have what turns out to be a botched sex change operation so they can get married and move to the United States. But he leaves her a year later on the same day that the Berlin Wall falls while she is living in a trailer park in Junction City, Kan.
She turns her attention to a teenager named Tommy whom she believes to be her soulmate, but he steals her songs and becomes a wildly successful rock star. And, so, she follows him on tour, playing dives where she can occasionally open the door to hear the roar of the crowd applauding Tommy.
Though somewhat sad, Hedwig proves a hilarious, offbeat character as she tells her life in and between songs.
Kevin Wade is unrecognizable as Hedwig in her flowing platinum blonde wig and sky-high platform heels. His portrayal is powerful; his song, heartfelt.
Yanna Lantz portrays Hedwig’s husband Yitzhak, a Jewish drag queen from Croatia whose talent at times moves Hedwig to jealousy. The two are backed by The Angry Inch band comprised of Tess Makena, Ben Larroquette, Elle Lucas and C. Gordon Knight.
While many call “Hedwig” one of the best rock musicals ever, the music is not smashing in your face all night long. Hedwig sings soft moody songs, as well as some boogie woogie and even a hint of country. The music is highlighted by strobe lights, darting spotlights and geometrically shaped lights designed by Samuel Mollner.
The props are fun and the audience is encouraged to add their two bits to make the whole thing even funner.
Kevin Wade said he was drawn to the musical as a high school student.
“This is a piece that celebrates and uplifts an outsider,’ " he said. “Hedwig's character challenges the viewer with an indescribable, uncategorizable being–and says that to be other is beautiful, fabulous and fun. I think that's something that everyone can relate to. Also, the show is hysterically funny and has one of the greatest, catchiest scores of any contemporary musical–that helps with the cult following as well.”
Wade said he particularly loves the biblical and Greek mythology that is woven through the text: “And I like how through the telling of this story of transformation a new mythology is created that includes Hedwig Yitzhak and each audience member in its origination.”
Yanna Lantz said she has wanted to be in a rock band ever since she was little and so this production is a dream come true.
“There aren’t a bunch of parts that feel like they were truly written for my voice type, but Yitzhak definitely was. I also love this role because it really forces me to be an active listener and 100 percent throughout the production,” she said.
The Spot is staging the musical at a time when the rights of members of the LGBTQIA+ community are being threatened in Idaho and elsewhere
“Despite its age, the show maintains its relevance by exploring universal themes of trauma and acceptance, both on personal and sociopolitical levels,” said Director Freddie Harris. “In a world where fussing over gender identity and pronouns causes real violence against those who seem ‘different,’ Hedwig demands that we cease our fussing and practice acceptance, regardless of how bodies or appearances differ from societal norms. The unrecognizable can still be fabulous, as Hedwig teaches us.”
In the end the musical is a tale about the ubiquitous search for love and self-acceptance amidst longing and loss. It’s told by a person who is trying to make peace with his/her two halves and to be seen for who she is, not for who others make her out to be.
“Hedwig is about accepting yourself, with all your flaws, and embracing who you are meant to become,” said Lantz. “I cry nearly every night when we reach the end of the show because it is such beautiful storytelling and a powerful message.”
IF YOU GO….
“Hedwig & the Angry Inch” will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. tonight, Thursday and Friday, Aug. 15-16, and Tuesday through Sunday, Aug. 20-25. Shows will also be offered at 6 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 18, and 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25.
For tickets, go to https://ci.ovationtix.com/35975/production/1207321. The musical is suggested for those 18 and older due to adult content.