Hedwig

[flaming_muse]

mr. muse and I have been having one of our whirlwind Broadway weekends. Three shows in two days. Of interest around here is probably that tonight we went to Hedwig and the Angry InchI’m still in a post-Hedwig delirium, but what I can say about Darren as Hedwig is that (compared to NPH, whom I saw in the role last year and who was great but a

Comments

[flaming_muse]

He was fantastic, wasn't he? Such a powerful performance. He really put his heart into it.

[flaming_muse]

Yes, absolutely!

[flaming_muse]

It is fantastic! I expect you won't be sorry.

The Audience was also really great. I LOVED it. It is so well written and well crafted (and acted, of course), and for such simple staging it had some very impressive visual moments.

[flaming_muse]

Yeah, both of those shows have gotten great reviews! It's a fantastic year for Broadway, I have to say.

[such_a_steph]

So, The Audience was another of your shows, what was the third? I did something similar, clocking up 5 shows/6 performances in 8 days.

I had the pleasure of seeing Darren on his opening night, and my comparison was JCM the weekend prior. The emotion Darren put into that role was unbelievable, and I really FELT his performance, far more than JCM. It was a great show both times, but Darren's performance reached me on far greater level. I still felt "haunted" a week later, and I wish I could relive that performance again, but sadly there is no opportunity for me to see Darren a second time.

how did the backstage thing come about? What an honour, and such a wonderful experience for you both! I was amongst the throngs of people standing outside the stage door, and as crazy at it might seem, I really thought the behaviour of every there, and the organisation of the theatre staff made for a good experience for everyone (a HUGE contrast to H2$).

[flaming_muse]

The third was Finding Neverland, mr. muse's pick of the weekend. (I wouldn't have chosen it. The performances and some of the effects were quite good, but the play needs focus.)

Darren's performance is definitely still haunting me, and I'm interested in your comparison to JCM, whom I didn't get the chance to see. I really love how Darren played the role, and I do hope to sneak down for a night later in the run if I can manage to see it again. It was so powerful.

Yes, the fans were definitely well-managed and as orderly as that sort of thing can be, but it's still a ton of people! I admire his skill at handling them. I remember walking past the stage door after H2$ on my way to dinner and it being just such chaos. This was an impressive throng but quiet and not pushy while waiting. So much better.

I was fortunate enough to have spent time with Darren before, and we were invited backstage as his guests.

[sinkwriter]

Sounds fantastic! I've enjoyed reading and seeing interviews about the show and Darren's transformation, but it's wonderful to get an audience member's perspective. I'm thrilled he's doing such an amazing job, and wish I could see it. I've never seen that show but it sounds so unusual.

[flaming_muse]

It's really quite an experience, not the kind of show where you sit back and watch but one where you're totally immersed in the whole thing, where the audience is actively part of it and changes it night to night just by being there. It's incredibly powerful. Darren did a fantastic job. He deserves all of the praise and press he's getting from the Broadway community. He deserves to be there.

[anonymous]

Hi Muse

[flaming_muse]

Oh, I'm so glad you enjoyed it, too! It was such an intense performance... and I kept watching for how carefully he was placing his feet and hands when he was climbing. He's a pro! In so many ways!

The crowd outside the theater was fairly well-behaved if you do find yourself at a performance where he signs afterwards. The staff keeps order. Something to think about if you do go back. :)