It seems spring has finally sprung in New York, and we can "Love Life" again as Phoebe Philo at Céline so kindly reminded us in her spring shoescape (seen here). But if there is any one reason to go inside from now till September, it's Hedwig and The Angry Inch, now open on Broadway for a limited engagement and starring the imitable Neil Patrick Harris. Here, the top 10 reasons to trade the Highline for Hedwig ASAP:
10) The Music: Hedwig tells the story of a transgender boy, Hansel, growing up in Germany, but from the point of view of Hedwig, Hansel's grown-up drag self and her band, "The Angry Inch," who look back and tell the coming of age tale through an 11-song set. Hedwig's transformation and the definition of an "angry inch" is the true discovery of the show.
9) The Set: Hedwig's story originated in the punk scene of the '80s. Think Givenchy's car-wreck catwalk meets the Berlin wall meets a Williamsburg warehouse party. Enough said.
8) The Animation: During "The Origin of Love," a scrim shrouds the stage and for four minutes straight you may think Hedwig is the new Frozen in what is a true innovation in animated storytelling that I've never before seen on stage.
7) The Hair: Hedwig undergoes a range of hair changes that reflect the mood of each lyric. With "wig" in her name (which was not lost on Hedwig either), it's no surprise that the blonde locks wooshing on and off her head emerge as as a inanimate third character.
6) Yitzhak: Speaking of other characters, Lena Hall as Yitzhak, Hedwig's female-to-male husband, is just as dazzling as his partner and undergoes her own set of transformations throughout the production.
5) The Makeup: It's Dolly Parton meets porcelain doll, but worth every eye line, lip line and fake lash. The team, led by Mike Potter, manages to keep it all in place in a feat that would leave even Pat McGrath wondering how it's achieved.
4) The Costumes: Under the direction of Arianne Philips, whom we already love for her work in films like W.E., the costumes are knockouts. Thanks also in part to Swarovski for marrying the sparkle of their crystals with the vision of Hedwig. Denim hot pants will never be the same.
3) John Cameron Mitchell: You may know him as Hannah's editor, David, on Girls, but Mitchell was the originator of the title character in 1998 and director of the 2001 film version. Without his genius, and that of Stephen Trask who wrote the show's music and lyrics, Hedwig would be a giant hush. BONUS: We hear there's already work beginning on a Hedwig sequel, which is sure to be another don't-miss.
2. The Endurance: The show is a 90-minute rockfest with no intermission. While the show crescendos to a clamoring close, you not only want a double encore but you're also stupefied the band could scream and shout uninterrupted for so long.
And finally…
1) Neil Patrick Harris: Already the king of the Tony's for his unmatched hosting abilities, Harris as Hedwig will go down as one of the most brilliant castings in Broadway history. It would be no surprise if in June Harris hears his name called for the big award instead of announcing the names himself.
Hedwig and The Angry Inch is playing at the Belasco Theater now.
