HEDWIG has been rocking Muncie audiences continually since the Fall of 2014. Directed by and starring Zachary Ryan Allen,this production brings to life the characters, stories, and songs of HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH written by John Cameron Mitchell featuring music and lyrics by Stephen Trask. PLOT
It tells the story of "internationally ignored song stylist" Hedwig Schmidt, a fourth-wall smashing E
ast German rock 'n' roll goddess who also happens to be the victim of a botched s*x-change operation, which has left her with just "an angry inch." This outrageous and unexpectedly hilarious story is dazzlingly performed by Hedwig (née Hansel) in the form of a rock gig/stand-up comedy routine backed by the hard-rocking band "The Angry Inch." Using songs and monologues, Hedwig tells her story, which began in the former East Berlin where as Hansel he meets Luther, an American GI who promises to take the young man to the States on the condition that he switch his s*x. After the bungled operation, Luther abandons newly named Hedwig in a Kansas trailer park where she turns to music and meets geeky Tommy Speck, whom she takes under her wing and soon falls for. Tommy steals her songs, achieves rock star fame, and Hedwig is once again cast aside. She decides to demand redress and stalks Tommy's world tour, performing in the dive bars that are situated next door to his stadiums. Hedwig describes her life's search for "The Origin of Love" and her other half. It's a rocking ride, funny, touching and ultimately inspiring to anyone who has felt life gave them an inch when they deserved a mile. HEDWIG is a unique brand of theatre that plays off more as a rock concert than a play. This raucous, outrageous show promises to fully immerse the audience in the twisted world of Hedwig and her pursuit of fame. PRODUCTION HISTORY
HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY opened in October 2014 at Be Here Now music hall in Muncie, Indiana. It marked the first theatrical production ever mounted at the venue. The intimate setting of rock house/bar meshed perfectly with the world of the show and gave the audience an authentic experience. To further the idea that the play was a true, live rock show, local bands were booked to open for Hedwig each night. The show proved to be wildly popular with audiences and word of mouth was truly the best publicity. The show was sold over capacity each night (the staging floor seated only 50 patrons), leading to patrons standing where ever there was space and even on the upper level. Due to the nature of the venue, HEDWIG could not maintain and extended run. The production closed despite heavy demand for added performances. In January of 2015, HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH returned for one night only at Muncie Civic Theatre. This venue was more than quadruple the size of Be Here Now, which necessitated changes the staging but also allowed for optimal viewing and better spacing for the band. Technical aspects were enhanced such as the addition of spotlights, specialty lighting (strobe, siren, lasers, etc.), and projection. Because Muncie Civic was in rehearsal for their production of PETER PAN, the show took place on a partially constructed set depicting the Darling family nursery. This was worked into the show as a sub plot point insinuating that Hedwig had traded s*xual favors for the use of the venue. Nana's doghouse doubled for Hedwig's oven and table for props. The production team briefly considered using the PETER PAN fly rig to lower Hedwig from the rafters for "Tear Me Down" but the idea was scrapped early on the grounds of safety concerns. Like its previous incarnation, the one-night only event was well received. Hedwig made one last appearance in an abbreviated musical r***e at Muncie Gras. The show was shortened to forty minutes with songs rearranged for a quicker, logical flow in the new format. "Hedwig's Lament," "Exquisite Co**se," and "Wicked Little Town (Reprise)" were excised entirely to keep a more positive feel. The performance was implied to take place months after the events of the original production with Hedwig and Yitzhak reconciled and returning to Muncie on a brief hiatus for Hedwig's "Shoney's of the Bible Belt Tour." The condensed performance was explained as Hedwig fearing that Indiana governor Mike Pence would be coming to run her and the other "qu**rs" off. In late February 2016, it was announced that HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH would be returning for yet another run in Muncie. HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH is presented in special arrangement with Dramatists Play Services.
