Hedwig and the Angry Inch

The Show

Hedwig and the Angry Inch was written by John Cameron Mitchell (book) and Stephen Trask (music and lyrics) and first premiered Off-Broadway in 1998. It tells the story of Hedwig Schmidt, born a boy in East Berlin who undergoes a sex change operation to marry an American soldier and escape to the West. The operation is botched, leaving Hedwig with the "angry inch" of the title. Abandoned in a Kansas trailer park, she forms a rock band and mentors a young musician named Tommy Speck, who later steals her songs and becomes the rock star Tommy Gnosis.

The show is structured as a rock concert in which Hedwig tells her life story while performing with her band "The Angry Inch." She follows Tommy's tour across America, performing in adjoining venues while sharing her tale of love, loss, and the search for her other half. The story incorporates Plato's Symposium and the myth that humans were once round beings with two sets of arms, legs, and two faces, before being split by Zeus, leaving them to search for their other halves.

For the Broadway revival and subsequent tour, director Michael Mayer created an innovative premise: Hedwig performs on the abandoned set of "Hurt Locker: The Musical," which supposedly opened and closed on the same night. This allowed the typically intimate show to be presented in larger venues while maintaining the character's status as an outsider.

Euan Morton as Hedwig

Scottish-born actor Euan Morton, who earned Tony and Olivier Award nominations for portraying Boy George in Taboo, brought his powerful rock vocals and emotional depth to the role of Hedwig. Stephen Trask gushes about why Euan is the perfect choice to fill Hedwig's golden boots: "Euan's Hedwig is going to be so exquisitely beautiful and archingly heartbreaking. What an emotional powerhouse. He is otherworldly."

Morton approached the role with a rawer, more rock-oriented edge than some previous Hedwigs. The Washington Post described him as an "impish, sarcastic cutup with a great set of pop-rock pipes" who "sings the hot pants off songwriter Stephen Trask's punk raves and dusky ballads." In Philadelphia, the Inquirer called his performance "sensational" and described the Scottish-born actor-singer as "ferocious as Hedwig."

The role required extraordinary stamina, as Morton performed vocally challenging rock songs in platform heels and elaborate wigs without leaving the stage for the entire 100-minute performance. He also had to balance the character's humor, anger, and profound vulnerability. "I have been blessed in my career," Morton stated, "but no blessing has been as exciting as the chance I've been given to take over the role of Hedwig. I'm ready for the ride of my life; I hope America is ready for her ride too."

In the New Jersey Arts review, Morton was praised as "a gifted comedian" who "commanded the stage" and may be "the funniest Hedwig yet." The DC Theatre Scene review noted that Morton "quickly strikes a standup comic's rapport with the audience" and has "genuine rock-star pipes and presence." Across the country, critics consistently praised his ability to balance the character's complex emotional landscape with exceptional vocal performances.

Songs

Throughout the performance, Euan Morton as Hedwig performed the following songs in order:

1. Tear Me Down - Opening number with Yitzhak
2. The Origin of Love - Mythological ballad about humans' search for wholeness
3. Sugar Daddy - Up-tempo song about Hedwig's relationship with Luther
4. Angry Inch - Hard-rocking explanation of Hedwig's botched operation
5. Wig in a Box - Transformative anthem about reinvention
6. Wicked Little Town - Poignant ballad written for Tommy
7. Hedwig's Lament - Brief, emotional reflection
8. Exquisite Corpse - Chaotic punk rock climax
9. Wicked Little Town (Reprise) - Tommy's version reclaimed
10. Midnight Radio - Triumphant finale with Yitzhak

The musical is performed as a single act running approximately 90-100 minutes without intermission. Morton's vocal performance throughout these songs demonstrated remarkable range, from aggressive punk rock to tender balladry, all while maintaining the character's distinctive accent and emotional journey.

Tour Reception

The national tour received strong reviews in most cities. The Chicago Tribune's Chris Jones described Morton's performance as "splendiferously bewigged, spectacularly vocalized and stupendously needy."

Broadway World's Baltimore reviewer called his performance "spectacular" and noted his ability to both "rock like a rock star" and "croon the beautiful ballads."

In Dallas, Culture Map described Morton as "an athletic, aggressive coquette" with "the muscled legs of a footballer and a smile that often dissolves into a grimace." Throughout the tour, critics consistently praised Morton's vocal abilities, emotional depth, and fearless characterization, cementing his place among the most acclaimed performers to take on this challenging role.

Cultural Significance

The 2016-2017 tour of Hedwig and the Angry Inch proved particularly timely, coinciding with heightened national conversations about gender identity and LGBTQ+ rights. What had once been an underground cult musical had evolved into a mainstream production that could tour major theatrical venues across America, reflecting significant cultural shifts in the nearly 20 years since the show's creation.

For many audience members in smaller markets, the tour provided their first opportunity to experience Hedwig live, rather than through the 2001 film adaptation. By presenting the show in prestigious venues like the Kennedy Center, the tour helped cement its status as an essential work of American musical theater, one that had transcended its cult origins without sacrificing its punk rock heart or challenging themes.

For Euan Morton, the tour represented a defining role that showcased his remarkable versatility and fearlessness as a performer. Following Hedwig, Morton would go on to play King George III in Hamilton on Broadway, further establishing his reputation as one of musical theater's most distinctive and versatile talents. The tour thus marked a significant chapter both in Morton's career and in the ongoing cultural impact of this revolutionary musical.

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