Haven Theatre Opens HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, 7/5

Haven Theatre Chicago will present the company's inaugural production, Hedwig and the Angry Inch,July 5 - August 11, at Theater Wit, 1229 W. Belmont Ave. Hedwig and the Angry Inch, written by John Cameron Mitchell, with lyrics and music by Stephen Trask is directed by Kyle Trent with music direction by Kory Danielson.

The newly formed Haven Theatre strives to conserve, renew and reinvent theatre traditions while providing ongoing support and mentorship to emerging artists. The performance schedule is Fridays and Saturdays at 10:30 p.m. and Sundays at 6 p.m.Preview performances areFriday, July 5 and Saturday, July 6 at 10:30 p.m. and Sunday, July 7 at 6 p.m. Opening night isMonday, July 8 at 7:30 p.m. Preview performance tickets are $20 and the all other tickets prices are $32. Tickets may be purchased by visiting www.theaterwit.org or by calling the box office at 773.975.8150. For more information, please visitwww.haventheatrechicago.com.

The groundbreaking Obie-winning Off-Broadway smash Hedwig and the Angry Inch also won multiple awards for its hit film adaptation of the story of "internationally ignored song stylist" Hedwig Schmidt (Ryan Lanning). Hedwig, a fourth-wall smashing East German rock 'n' roll goddess, happens to be the victim of a botched sex-change operation, which has left her with just "an angry inch." This outrageous and unexpectedly hilarious story is dazzlingly performed by Hedwig (formerly known as Hansel) in the form of a rock gig/stand-up comedy routine backed by the hard-rocking band "The Angry Inch," including Yitzhak (played by Lauren Paris) and band members Kory Danielson (keyboard) Eric Engelson (drums), Nick David (guitar) and Zach Moore (bass). Using songs and monologues, 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.

The production team for Hedwig and the Angry Inch includes: Kyle Trent (director), Kory Danielson (music direction), Carol Cohen (producer/costume design), Garvin Jellison (production manager), Fernando Alvarez (stage manager) Devlyn Camp (asst. stage manager), Jenna Moran (sound designer), Kevin Fairbairn (sound engineer), Claire Chrzan (lighting designer), Cate Gillespie (dialect coach), Ben Dawson (set construction), and Nichole Wixom (make-up artist).