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The World's Greatest Botched-Sex-Change Rock Musical by Adrian Ryan Hedwig and the Angry Inch Re-bar, 1114 Howell (at Boren), 328-0388 or 324-6500. $16. Thurs-Sun at 8. Through Feb 11. "LADIES AND Gentlemen, whether you like it or not... HEDWIG!" Thus we are introduced to this "internationally ignored song stylist"--a hard-rockin' victim of a badly botched sex change, a long hard road, and a Juice Newton wig. A brief synopsis: Hansel is a young East Berliner who dreams of America and rock 'n' roll stardom. He is seduced by a sketchy American GI, who offers to spirit him off to the States with one small stipulation: "he" must become a "she". The operation is a tragic failure, and Hansel finds him/ herself lost, alone, and sexless in a Kansas trailer park. What's a girly-boy to do? Sing. And so Hedwig is born--an enigma, a contradiction, a creature of two sexes and two cultures. "The Angry Inch" refers both to Hedwig's backup band and the tiny mound of flesh the failed sex change has left him/her to "work with": the spot where her "penis used to be and vagina never was. " This is her show. uch more than a drag show with kicky tunes, Hedwig is a true rock opera with an emphasis on rock--more concert than play, a glam/punk extravaganza with a story line. Nick Garrison as Hedwig is dazzling: ferocious, magnetic, tragically hilarious. Skating on the razor's edge of camp, he humorously portrays all of Hedwig's exquisite pain and pathos without compromising her integrity. He's a combination of The Rose and Lady Bunny: Janice Joplin with a penis, Meatloaf with tits, Courtney Love with talent. Sweating buckets and sipping Coors Light with a straw, Garrison belted out the score's radio-ready songs with fierceness and electricity. His performance had me riveted; I simply could not take my eyes off of him. Garrison's amazing talent combined with the heartbreaking crooning of Sarah Rudinoff as Hedwig's "husband" Yitzak sent chills down my spine. I gave Hedwig the most honest and enthusiastic standing ovation since--well, ever. I seriously question the intelligence of anyone who doesn't see this show. Twice. Sarah Rudinoff Actor/singer/force of nature EVENT: She's on loan from L.A., backing up Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Re-bar. You're playing a man in Hedwig --did you take any steps to prepare? "Yes I did. I went to the Eagle in my beard and mustache to see if I could pass, and I did a lot of following men home from the bus stop, to watch how they walk." What were your discoveries? "Men take small steps. They don't move their hips back and forth--well, not all of them. And men are alone in the world. They think they are, anyway." How so? "When I went upstairs at the Eagle, I was with [Hedwig director] Mark Gallagher and he completely left me. I had to walk into every space cutting my own swathe. And I realized, Omigod, men are such sensitive creatures because they totally think they're alone . So I decided to be nicer to men." How have you been nicer? "I've tried to not talk as fast." How is that nicer? "I'm just trying not to assault them with my thoughts as fast and as loud." You're so kind. Did you pass at the Eagle? Anyone pick up on you? "I got cruised for about three minutes and it was awful. Because cruising is in the eyes, and I didn't quite have the character yet, so in my mind it was like, panic! I kept going in and out of character in my eyes, so this man either thought I was schizophrenic or really interested." Was he the only one who cruised you? "Yeah. The guy at the door knew I was a girl because I had to show him my ID." So that blew your cover. "Right off." At the Eagle, were you packing anything? As part of your façade? "I borrowed Susanna Burney's Hamlet penis; I must give her credit. It's what I pack every night. Actresses are good to each other like that." How does it feel? "Soft." |
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