John Cameron Mitchell himself then reprise the title role he originated for an extended limited engagement — even with a knee brace and with the use of a crutch after sustaining an injury during a Feb. 7 performance. He soldiered on for the rest of that week before being forced to take a week off, and trading Hedwig's gold glamrocker boots for less perilous bedazzled hi-tops. "You may have noticed that I'm working on my last leg here," deadpans Mitchell. "What I'm trying to say, ladies and gentlemen, is that tonight you’re seeing the show with the original cast."
Read more Critic's Notebook: John Cameron Mitchell in 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch'
Joan MarcusTime to pack away the acid-wash denim and gold go-go boots, and put that wig back in the box.
After 76 weeks of sharing the personal tale of her rise to tawdry stardom and self-discovery, the East German transgender rocker who fronts Hedwig and the Angry Inch will give her regards to Broadway for the last time on Sept. 13.
Lead producer David Binder on Tuesday announced that the hit musical revival of the cult show by John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask will play its final performance when current star Taye Diggs completes his turn in the title role.
“When we announced our limited 16-week Broadway engagement of Hedwig, never in my wildest dreams did I think it would run for a year and a half,” said Binder. “Hedwig heralded a historic year of acceptance and celebration across America.”
Directed by Michael Mayer, the show began previews at the Belasco Theatre on March 29, 2014, officially opening on April 22. It won Tony Awards for best musical revival, original stars Neil Patrick Harris and Lena Hall, and for Kevin Adams‘ lighting. Mitchell this year received a Special Tony Award for his unique contribution to theater.
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While Harris proved the biggest box office draw, ticket sales have remained steady throughout the repeatedly extended Broadway run, during which Andrew Rannells, Michael C. Hall, Darren Criss and Mitchell himself have done stints in the lead role. Diggs currently stars with Rebecca Naomi Jones as Yitzhak, backed by the production’s house band, Tits of Clay.
The show has grossed $48.4 million to date at the Belasco, and will have played 22 previews and 506 regular performances when it closes. The production recouped its initial investment of $5 million in July 2014, moving into profit in just 16 weeks.
A national tour will be launched in Oct. 2016, starting in San Francisco, with productions being planned for London’s West End and Australia.
During its Broadway run, Hedwig has partnered with the Hetrick-Martin Institute to donate more than $500,000 to help LGBTQ at-risk youth, through ticket sales, album proceeds and fundraising.
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