"Born out of the idea that any proper production of Hedwig must remain true to its New York City night club roots, the band members — all of whom have serious cred in the rock world — knew immediately that the Broadway stage could not contain their shared creativity," press notes state. "They have already played to capacity crowds at Rockwood Music Hall and the Mercury Lounge, and this show will find them both paying homage to and further exploring Hedwig’s punk rock roots."
Handpicked by Stephen Trask, who wrote the music and lyrics of Hedwig, members of the band include Justin Craig (guitar and keyboards), Matt Duncan (bass), Tim Mislock (guitar) and Peter Yanowitz (drums). The concert will also feature surprise special guests.
The Broadway premiere of the cult rock musical began previews March 29 at the Belasco Theatre, prior to an official opening April 22. Neil Patrick Harris won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance as Hedwig and will continue with the show through Aug. 17. Tony nominee Andrew Rannells (The Book of Mormon, Jersey Boys) will star in the musical beginning Aug. 20. He is contracted for eight weeks.
Read Playbill.com's interview with Rannells here.
Hedwig features a book by John Cameron Mitchell and music and lyrics by Stephen Trask. The landmark 1998 musical stars Harris as the titular Hedwig, a transgender singer fronting a fictional rock-n-roll band. Lena Hall, who recently starred as Nicola in Broadway's Tony-winning musical Kinky Boots and is also the lead singer of rock band The Deafening, co-stars with Harris as Yitzhak. Harris and Hall won the Tony Awards for Best Lead Actor in a Musical and Best Featured Actress in a musical, respectively. Kevin Adams also won the Tony for Best Lighting Design. The production won Best Revival of a Musical.
The dramatic musical comedy began Off Off-Broadway at Westbeth and then ran over two years at the Jane Street Theatre beginning in February 1998. Hedwig and the Angry Inch won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Musical, and both John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask won Obies. Hedwig and the Angry Inch won a 1998 New York Magazine Award and Entertainment Weekly's "Soundtrack of the Year" Award.
Read Playbill's interview with John Cameron Mitchell here.
The Mercury Lounge is located at at 217 East Houston Street. Tickets and more information are available by visiting mercuryloungenyc.com.
For more information on Hedwig and the Angry Inch, visit HedwigBroadway.com.
