John Cameron Mitchell to Make Australian Debut with ORIGIN OF LOVE: The Songs and Stories of Hedwig

The Sydney Opera House today announced that Tony Award-winning actor/director/writer and co-creator of cult-classic musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch John Cameron Mitchell will bring his new show to the Concert Hall this June as part of his first Australia tour.

In a highly-anticipated, one-off performance, John Cameron Mitchell: The Origin of Love will have Mitchell channel his glam-rock icon, Hedwig, to perform much-loved rock ballads and share stories from the groundbreaking musical's 20-year history. He'll also preview songs from his upcoming musical podcast, Anthem.

Initially conceived and created by Mitchell as a drag show at the notorious New York City club Squeezebox, Hedwig and the Angry Inch gradually evolved into a fully-fledged Broadway production and, a year later, an off-Broadway hit playing globally to rave reviews and amassing a cult following. In 2001, Mitchell co-wrote, directed and starred in the film adaptation for which he received the Sundance Film Festival Best Director Award and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor. His Broadway production of Hedwig garnered him a 2014 Tony Award for Best Revival of Musical and a Special Tony Award for his return to the role in 2015.

"At last! My journey to Oz, long-deferred by silly obstacles like unemployment and air fare, is a reality! I shall strap on a Cubist corset and chromium wig, regale you with haphazard stories from 55 years of fake rock stardom and wail your favorite Hedwig songs like some kind of wonder woman within. Please prepare for my imminent arrival", Mitchell said.

Sydney Opera House Head of Contemporary Performance, Olivia Ansell, says: "John Cameron Mitchell is a musical visionary who changed the zeitgeist of musical theatre culture in the early noughties and beyond. Stripped back and raw, I am so excited for Sydney audiences to experience this rare opportunity to delve into the persona behind the makeup and wigs and witness how this musical genius became a cult-icon."

His seriously impressive depth of work includes the improv-based film Shortbus (2006) and 2010's Rabbit Hole starring Nicole Kidman, who scored an Academy Award nomination for her role. He executive produced Jonathan Caouette's Tarnation (2004) and has played recurring roles in HBO's Girls, Martin Scorsese's HBO series Vinyl, The Good Fight and the current season of Mozart in the Jungle. This northern spring will bring the release of his film adaptation of Neil Gaiman's punk-era How to Talk to Girls at Parties starring Elle Fanning and Nicole Kidman.

So, put on some make-up and turn on your eight-track, Sydney, it's time to experience the original Hedwig!