Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Sarasota's FST

FST Presents Rock Musical Experience:

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Admittedly an unlikely hero, Hedwig, an East German transsexual who has been "internationally ignored" may not initially evoke empathy from a typical Sarasota audience. However, for those willing to give her a chance, the universality of her story will inevitably have audiences connecting on a very human level.

In describing Hedwig's story, Petra DeLuca (who will be playing Yitzhak) says "I don't care who you are, everyone has looked for someone to love…and everyone has had their heart broken." It is this part of Hedwig's story that has created a cult following for the musical and subsequent film by John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask.

While the theme of Hedwig is simple and universal, the details of the story are much more complex. The show itself takes place as Hedwig and her band (The Angry Inch) perform a concert for the audience. During the course of which Hedwig tells the story of her life. "How does a slip of a girly-boy from Communist East Berlin become an internationally ignored song stylist?" she asks.

After a lonely childhood spent listening to Iggy Pop and David Bowie, Hedwig is the recipient of a botched sex-change operation which leaves her with an inch of scar tissue (an "angry inch.")  More than a woman and less than a man, Hedwig ends up in a Kansas trailer park abandoned by her love, Tommy Gnosis. As Tommy tours the country playing sold out concerts, Hedwig is content to perform in seedy establishments near Tommy's sold out arenas.

The music in Hedwig is certainly not typical of the musical theatre world. The term "rock musical" is used to describe many pieces of musical theatre with rock influences, but if ever a musical deserved the title "rock" it is Hedwig . Loud and intense, this score is one that certainly evokes a great deal of feeling from its audiences.

"When Rock and Roll first hit in the 1950's," says director Dennis Courtney, "people were appalled because it took music out of the head and put it into the heart. It's from the soul." The music in this show is reflective of the characters and situations it reflects. Courtney says, "It's the music of the world Hedwig grew up in."

What kind of audience will enjoy Hedwig ? It is a show that is written from a young perspective and contains loud rock music that may take some preparing for many audience members. At its core, Hedwig is the story of a person striving to overcome the difficult circumstances of her life. She is a little different, but she wants the same thing we all do. She just wants to be loved. Petra (Yitzhak) says, "if you look into this show you will find yourself."

"Besides," says David Colbert (Hedwig,) who doesn't love blonde hair and fringe?"

The cast of Hedwig and the Angry Inch includes David Colbert performing as Hedwig for the fourth time and sharing the stage with Petra DeLuca as Yitzhak for the third time. The Angry Inch band is composed of Don Dean, Phyllis Gessler, Stephan Rosser and Justin Wierbonski. FST regular Dennis Courtney will direct the show, with assistance from guest artist Michael Newton-Brown (Lighting Design) and FST staffer Marcella Beckwith (Costume and Scenic Design.)

Hedwig and the Angry Inch begins May 5 and runs through May 26, 2006 at FST's Keating Theatre. Tickets are $29-32 and may be purchased from the FST Box Office in person or by calling (941) 366-9000.

Florida Studio Theatre

1241 North Palm Avenue

Sarasota , FL 34236

Website: www.fst2000.org

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