HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, Starring Ryan Bowie, Returns Friday to the Roxy Regional Theatre

In 2014, HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH changed Roxy Regional Theatre Executive Director Ryan Bowie's life as a performer and a person.

"I have to admit, once the show closed following our sold-out limited run upstairs in theotherspace, I tried to get anyone and everyone I knew to pick up the Roxy's production," Bowie remembers. "I always hoped to be able to put the wig on and embody Hedwig Schmidt again."

Now Bowie is getting the chance to do just that, as John Cameron Mitchell's groundbreaking award-winning musical HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH -- and Bowie's tour de force performance -- returns this Friday, June 30, to the Roxy Regional Theatre, this time in a production completely re-imagined for the mainstage. In the Roxy's opening night pay-what-you-can tradition, all tickets remaining at the box office at 7:30pm this Friday evening will be available for a $5 minimum donation.

"After great success and selling out the entire run in theotherspace, I knew this was something Clarksville was excited about and wanted to see more of," Bowie says. "When the opportunity came around to produce the show again, I knew it was something I wanted to try on the mainstage. Get ready for more glitz, more glam, more punk rock and more edge to this production than ever before. After Broadway World called our 2014 production, 'one of the year's most unforgettable performances,' I knew we had to up our game and pull out the stops."

Following in the footsteps of Neil Patrick Harris, Michael C. Hall, Andrew Rannells, Darren Criss and John Cameron Mitchell himself, Bowie stars as "internationally ignored song stylist" Hedwig Schmidt, a fourth-wall smashing East German rock 'n' roll goddess who also happens to be the victim of a botched sex-change operation.

In this rocking ride with music and lyrics by Stephen Trask, Hedwig's outrageous and unexpectedly hilarious story is dazzlingly performed in the form of a rock gig/stand-up comedy routine backed by the hard-rocking band "The Angry Inch," featuring Matthew McNeill on piano, Jarrod Jackson on guitar, John Waddle on bass, and Thad Wallus on drums.

Sara Fetgatter appears as Hedwig's husband and back-up singer, Yitzhak. "I am thrilled to share the stage with Sara again." Bowie reminisces, "We met five years ago while she was here plaYing Linda in our production of The Wedding Singer. She has been one busy lady, playing the regional circuit, and I am so happy to be on this journey with her for the next couple weeks."

"I've been a fan of HEDWIG for over fifteen years, so returning to the Roxy to play Yitzhak is a dream come true," Fetgatter remarks. "This show is about acceptance, acceptance of other's differences, but also accepting yourself and being true to who you are. I think everyone can relate to that search of self. Plus, you get stand-up comedy and a rock show all in one! It's the perfect night out."

Funny, touching and ultimately inspiring to anyone who has ever felt life gave them an inch when they deserved a mile, HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH aims to tear down conventional boundaries while addressing such themes as gender identity and the quest for love.

Cyndi Lauper was recently asked about her pioneering equality for many, many years and said, "I think today I will emphasize the word 'quality' rather than discuss the word 'equality,' because maybe less talk and more quality caring might lead us to do more action. And everyone knows action speaks louder than words, right? Be it in sports, or in family, hey, even in romance. Like I had to tell my first boyfriend, 'You gonna stand around all night, or you gonna do something? 'Cause I got things to do.'"

"Why should you venture out of your comfort zone to see HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH?" asks Bowie.

"Well, Hedwig would probably say, 'Because a little culture, out of your comfort zone, won't kill you.' But in all seriousness, this show will touch your heart, make you think, make you appreciate life and reiterate the message that we are ALL one human race. No matter what sex, color, religion, sexual orientation -- whatever -- if we just accept and love one another, we can see our world changed for the better in our lifetime."

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH is made possible in part through the generous support of Larry & Barbara Goolsby and Melinda Kelly-Major. Due to strong language and adult content, this production is recommended for mature audiences only.

Performances run June 30 through July 15 on Wednesdays and Thursdays at 7:00pm and Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm.

Tickets are $25 and may be reserved online at www.roxyregionaltheatre.org, by phone at (931) 645-7699, or at the theatre during regular box office hours (9:00am to 2:00pm, Monday through Friday, and one hour prior to curtain). Military, APSU students and CitySaver coupon holders can receive two tickets for the price of one to Wednesday and Thursday performances during the run.

The Roxy Regional Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to producing professional live theatre and promoting the arts, with emphasis on education, in Clarksville, Middle Tennessee and the Southeast. The theatre is located at 100 Franklin Street in Historic Downtown Clarksville. For more information, visit www.roxyregionaltheatre.org.

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