BWW Reviews: HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH is a Must See at TheaterLAB

I hate to put "spoilers" in my reviews- but I am going to have two, right up front. Hedwig and the Angry Inch is about an East German rock and roll "goddess" who started life out as a boy. The second "spoiler" is, while the new theater season has just recently begun, TheatreLAB and Spin, Spit and Swear have started their season off right with a production that I am sure we will still be talking about at next year's RTCC Awards!

Director Maggie Roop has put all the pieces together perfectly in TheatreLAB's inaugural production in their new home, "The Basement." The intimate grunge-like setting is perfect for the rock out performance.

"The Angry Inch" is the name of Hedwig's band, as well as a descriptor of what was left over when Hedwig received a botched sex change operation in her native Cold War East Germany. The one act musical uses Hedwig's band and music interspersed with Hedwig telling her life story. It is her journey from a town torn in half by the Berlin Wall, to a life torn in half by both the operation and her search for true love and her other "half."

The play is about Hedwig and Hedwig is the play. In turn, Matt Shofner gives the performance of a life time as he becomes Hedwig. Shofner gives a dynamic, memorable and multi-dimensional performance breathing life into this character, and demonstrating command of the stage and the audience. Hedwig also demonstrates command over Yitzhak, her brooding, submissive, drag queen husband, portrayed equally masterfully by Bianca Bryan. As portrayed by Shofner, Hedwig is a blend of Miley Cyrus, Cher, Mick Jagger, Dolly Parton and Frank N Furter, all rolled into one.

Vocally, Shofner and Bryan could easily release this performance on I-tunes and make a fortune. Starlet Knight, Forrest Link, Joe Lubman and Greg Elinburg are multi-talented as "The Angry Inch"- both in their musical abilities and their ability to remain dead-pan for over 90 minutes.

Technically, the production is superb as well. Michael Jarrett's lighting design is spectacular and innovative for such a small, new space. Roop pays attention to every detail in her staging; even having Yitzhak change album covers on stage in pre-show music, so the audience knows what song is playing!

Emily Atkins' costumes and Paul Major's hair and make-up are also top notch. One small note; Yitzhak's "stubble" needed to run down to "his" jaw line. It cut off in a sharp, sudden manner too far up on Bryan's face.

Hedwig and the Angry Inch is a must-see. The little show at Richmond's newest little venue, sets the bar high. Running thru November 29 at The Basement (300 East Broad Street). http://www.theatrelabrva.org/

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