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HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH

[By John Cameron Mitchell & Stephen Trask]
OUTWARD SPIRAL THEATRE COMPANY

Minneapolis, MN

2002

Quite possibly the most meaningful show I've directed, the Minneapolis Hedwig was only the 3rd production the authors licensed after its Off-Broadway run ended in January 2000. One of its New York press agents, James Morrison, helped make it possible for our small but award-winning company, Outward Spiral, to punch well above its weight. We extended the show twice, turning a 4-week run into a 3-month love fest.

I couldn't have dreamed up a better team of people to bring Hedwig to life. I've rarely felt as much passion for the material -- or as much love in the room -- as I did during the creation and performance of this piece. With a kick-ass transgender drummer and two female guitarists (!) this production was much more than a show, it was a genderfucking, rock-and-rolling dream. It marked our lives forever.

Hedwig gives voice to the outsider, but to me the appeal is even greater than that. The writing is deeply cathartic as Greek tragedy and politically sharp as satire. The music straddles genres and moods that mix into an addictive cocktail. Hedwig is transgressive, bitter, and in-between. And yet, a universal human pain cries out from her halfness, and we are healed by her vulnerability: her wounded search for the origin of love, for self, for wholeness.

BEST PRODUCTION OF THE YEAR

(Small Theater) Minneapolis StarTribune

TOP 10 PRODUCTIONS OF THE YEAR

St. Paul Pioneer Press | Lavender Magazine

TEAM

Sound | Tom Bothof

Costumes | Clare Brauch

Lighting | Michael Grogan

Projections & Graphics | Holly Welch

Hair & Makeup | David M. Hermann

Stage Management | Kristen E. Burke

Production Management | Michael Coté
Music | Bob Burns

Voice | Peter Vitale

Movement | Matt Jenson

Dramaturgy | Jason Brown

Assistants | Gretchen Weinrich, Jeffry Lusiak

Wardrobe | Dana Horst

Press | Melodie Bahan

Direction | Jef Hall-Flavin

Co-Producer | James LL Morrison

Co-Producer | Suzy Messerole

CAST

Hedwig | Jason S. Little

Yitzhak | Ann Michels

Schlatko (Drums) | Jendeen Forberg

Skszp (Keys/Guitar/Vocals) | Joe Papke

Jaček (Bass/Vocals) | Desdamona Racheli

Krzyzhtoff (Lead Guitar/Vocals) | Amy Van Patten

LIVE RECORDINGS

Hedwig (Live) Mpls Cast (part 1)Outward Spiral Theatre Co.
00:00
Hedwig (Live) Mpls Cast (part 2)Outward Spiral Theatre Co.
00:00

PHOTO GALLERY

[Michal Daniel]

WHAT PEOPLE SAID

[PIONEER PRESS]

Outward Spiral's Production is a gem, radiating outward from Jason S. Little's spectacular performance as Hedwig.

. . .

It would be easy to make this character into a freak show, but Little's performance pulses with defiant humanity.

Dominic P. Papatola

[CITY PAGES]

Outward Spiral's local production is so much better than the movie, and so much better than you might expect, that it may represent an event in itself. ... I couldn't take my eyes off Little: He seems truly, unsettlingly naked in the final scenes when Hedwig sheds her drag-queen persona...

Peter S. Scholtes

[STAR TRIBUNE]

This marvelous piece, directed by Jef Hall-Flavin, wrapped a serious message of identity and exclusion inside jagged humor and Beatles-like rock 'n' roll. Great tech, a kickin' band and edgy, provocative, entertaining ideas made this the best small-theater production of the year.

Graydon Royce

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