Darren Criss to Star in ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ in Los Angeles, San Francisco

Darren Criss Star 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch' Los Angeles, San Francisco — **Darren Criss** currently fronts the rock opera, with **Rebecca Naomi Jones** as Yitzhak.
Joan Marcus

Darren Criss isn’t done with Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

The actor, who rotated into the Broadway run in early 2015, will reprise the titular role for the first stops of Tony-winning musical revival’s national tour.

Criss will don the wig and heels for performances at the SHN Golden Gate Theatre in San Francisco (Oct. 4-30) and Hollywood’s Pantages Theatre (Nov. 1-27). The show’s tour will then continue across North America.

“When I found out that the tour would be kicking off in my hometown of San Francisco — the city where I was introduced to Hedwig & The Angry Inch — I could think of no better excuse to get back into the heels of a character I loved and missed so very much,” Criss said in a statement. “And since Los Angeles has become a second home for me, I relished the idea of seeing what kind of fun Hedwig would bring to the heart of Hollywood. Getting to share this fantastic Broadway production with the two great Californian cities of my own life story will hopefully be as much of a joy for me as it will be for audiences who will experience Hedwig’s life story on the West Coast!”

Hedwig — which has a book by John Cameron Mitchell and music and lyrics by Stephen Trask — centers on an East German transgender rocker searching for love and completeness in America. During the Broadway run, the lead character was portrayed by Mitchell, Neil Patrick Harris, Andrew Rannells, Michael C. Hall and Taye Diggs, in addition to Criss.

Criss previously made his Broadway debut in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. The Glee breakout also will star as Prince Eric in a limited engagement of The Little Mermaid at the Hollywood Bowl in June. The production also will star Sara Bareilles, Tituss Burgess, Rebel Wilson and John Stamos.

“West coast be warned, Darren takes no prisoners!” Mitchell said.

Trask added: “What’s really cool to me is that because Darren played her on Broadway, we can launch the tour with continuity and authenticity, but at the same time we can make the show his and take advantage of how truly amazing he is.”

The members of Hedwig’s band The Angry Inch — known collectively as Tits of Clay — will be music director Justin Craig, Matt Duncan, Tim Mislock and Peter Yanowitz, all of whom originated their roles on Broadway.

Tony winner Lena Hall will play Criss‘ Yitzhak at the San Francisco and Los Angeles stops.

May 29, 8:30 a.m. Updated with Lena Hall casting.

Darren Criss to Star in ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ in Los Angeles, San Francisco

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