This is a love letter. To Stephen Trask's brilliant music and lyrics and John Cameron Mitchell's searing wit. To one of the best musicals to ever come out of New York's downtown theater scene. And to Haven Chicago, which ends its 11-year run as a local theater company with a raucous, rousing and thoroughly rock-and-roll production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, now running at the Den Theater through August 4.
When first produced in 1998, the improbable story of how Hansel Schmidt becomes Hedwig Robinson and moves from East Berlin to the U.S. just one year before the fall of the Berlin Wall, made a star out of author Mitchell and garnered Obie and Outer Critic Awards for the production. Then a 2014 Broadway revival won a Tony and provided a platform for more than one Hollywood actor to strut his stuff in Hedwig's stilettos.
In this production, those imposing and glamorous shoes are filled by Tyler Anthony Smith. A frequent performer with local camp specialists Hell in a Handbag Productions, Hedwig not only allows Smith to display their wit but also to show off a genuinely powerful rock voice—raw and ragged at times, but always effective. Onstage and holding the spotlight for almost the entire 90-minute production, Smith's ease with what stand-up comedians call "crowd work" pays off repeatedly in the Den's up-close-and-personal tight space.
Smith is partnered by Ismael Garcia, in the show's only other speaking role, Yitzhak, Hedwig's put-upon Balkan boyfriend and rival, who—after being under Hedwig's thumb for most of the show—is finally allowed to slip into her wig in the finale. Garcia ably complements Smith's performance with a similarly heartfelt portrayal that has the audience rooting for them.
Smith and Garcia are joined on stage by Harper Caruso (music director/piano), Nate Hall (guitar), Alek Boggio (bass) and Mia Park (drums) who make up the gritty "Angry Inch"—Hedwig's backup band.
The production, directed by Haven Chicago's JD Caudill, boasts occasional updated dialog, much of it very funny, that brings fresh perspective to a show that is firmly rooted, as it must be, in its 1990s setting.
Scenic design is by Jonathan Berg-Einhorn with lighting by Liz Cooper and sound design by Jake Sorgen. Beth Miller is costume designer, Puppet design is by Lolly Extract and projections by Steve Labedz. Stage manager is Ayla Sweet.
Centered on Hedwig's experience as the subject of botched gender-reassignment surgery, the themes of the show go beyond gender to examine the human search for identity and wholeness—our shared quest for recognition, love and acceptance. Through its humor, heartbreak and rock-and-roll spirit, this production of Hedwig and the Angry Inch perhaps resonates even more today than when it was first produced 30 years ago.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch plays through August 4 at the Den Theatre, 1331 N. Milwaukee Ave. The show runs approximately 90 minutes, without an intermission. Tickets are available at www.thedentheatre.com.
For more information on this and other plays, see theatreinchicago.com.
Did you enjoy this post? Please consider supporting Third Coast Review’s arts and culture coverage by making a contribution. Choose the amount that works best for you, and know how much we appreciate your support!