Theater News

The Legend Returns! John Cameron Mitchell Will Play Hedwig on Broadway

The original star and writer of ”Hedwig and the Angry Inch” will once again play the role he created.

John Cameron Mitchell (seen here in the 2001 film Hedwig and the Angry Inch and on opening night of the 2014 Broadway revival) will return to the role of Hedwig for eight weeks.
John Cameron Mitchell (seen here in the 2001 film Hedwig and the Angry Inch and on opening night of the 2014 Broadway revival) will return to the role of Hedwig for eight weeks.

After nearly a month of rumors, producer David Binder has announced that John Cameron Mitchell, the coauthor and original star of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, will return to the title role in the musical, playing an eight-week engagement beginning January 21 at the Belasco Theatre. Lena Hall will continue in her Tony-winning performance as Yitzhak.

Mitchell's appearance in Michael Mayer's award-winning revival marks his first New York stage appearance since 1998, when he originated the role of Hedwig at the Jane Street Theatre. He later starred in and directed the 2001 film version of Hedwig and The Angry Inch and received a Golden Globe nomination. Mitchell's other acting credits include Girls, The Secret Garden, and Six Degrees of Separation.

"I am in equal parts thrilled and terrified to be returning to Hedwig," Mitchell said in a statement. "Fifteen years ago she kicked my butt so hard that I quit acting. But like an expertly face-lifted ex-wife, she's lured me back. The killer new work by Neil Patrick Harris, Andrew Rannells, and Michael C. Hall have left much larger pumps to fill. Here's hoping I don't need a walker by the end of the run."

Hedwig and the Angry Inch songwriter Stephen Trask said, "John is one of my oldest and dearest friends and this character is such an important part of his life that I mostly just feel excited and happy for him that he gets to revisit her in this incredible incarnation. And then there's probably a small part of me that feels like Robbie Robertson felt when The Band reunited without him. I kind of wish I were going to be on that stage."

"I'm beyond thrilled to work with my dear friend John Cameron Mitchell in recreating his iconic role in our new production," Mayer added. "I think his Hedwig has had a date with Broadway for a long time and I can't wait to be there for it."

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