[NEohioPAL]Review of HEDWIG and The Rockettes

[Roy Berko]

	HEDWIG A HIT AT PUBLIC THEATRE
	RADIO CITY DELIGHTS AND DISAPPOINTS AT STATE THEATRE

	Roy Berko
	(Member, American Theatre Critics Association)
	
	THE TIMES NEWSPAPERS
		Lorain County Times--Westlaker Times--Lakewood News
Times--Olmsted-Fairview Times


	This holiday season Cleveland is blessed with two
totally opposite theatrical attractions which should
both delight their audiences.  Cleveland Public
Theatre’s HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH has all the
ingredients to be a cult-hit.  RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS
SPECTACULAR starring the Rockettes has a 75-year
history of success to assure viewers of its cult
status.  Each will appeal to a unique audience, both
come close to being total enjoyment.

	HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH

	The first question asked by someone who found out I
had seen HEDWIG at CPT was, “Will I need earplugs?”
The answer: “Maybe, but if you do, they are handing
them out.” Billed as a post-punk neo-glam rock odyssey
definitely gives the message that this is going to be
an evening of blasting bass and intense guitars..an
evening that might require a next day’s visit to the
audiologist.  Well, ‘taint so.   Yes, there is some
loud music, but it’s not that loud.  There are also
some tender musical moments, excellent acting, a
wonderful band, and an interesting story.  Besides,
the huge Gordon Square Theatre allows the sound to
dissipate among its unfinished nooks and crannies.  
	HEDWIG is based on Plato’s “Symposium.” Figuring out
how the story of a German rock and roll goddess who
also happens to be the victim of a gruesomely botched
sex-change operation fits into the Greek tale is an
exercise all its own.   However, the message of a
person who has experienced both physical and emotional
mutilation, and her strong desire to find her “other
half,” whoever or whatever that happens to be is
apparently clear.  
	Hedwig Schmidt, an East German resident during the
Cold War, submits to a sex change operation in an
attempt to gain US citizenship through marriage to an
American soldier.  The operation is botched and Hedwig
is left with a one inch strip of undefined genitalia,
thus the “angry inch.” Dumped in Kansas by her husband
she meets a young boy who she introduces to the world
of music and grooms him to become a major rock star. 
She believe he is her life’s love, her “other half.”
She, again, is left behind.  
	Most surprising is the fact that the story is loosely
based on the real life of an immigrant woman who used
to baby sit for the show’s librettist, John Cameron
Mitchell.  
	Lester Thomas Shane’s directing is on-key as are the
acting and musical qualities.  The music by Stephen
Trask is mostly rock, but there are also several
beautiful ballads including “Wicked Little Town.” 
	Dan Folino is effective in the double role of Hedwig
and Tommy.  He has a beautiful singing voice.  Though
his German accent waivers, he brings the proper tone
of depression and frustration to the speaking role. 
His thin build and delicate mannerisms blur the lines
of male/female so well that the audience appropriately
loses track of his gender.  
	Dennis Yurich, Miss Melvas, Mark Gamiere, Steve
Mehlman and Michael Seever, the one-stage musicians
are so good that they have been touring the area
playing at various clubs.  There is talk of the group
continuing together after the production and forming a
permanent band.  They should...they are good...very
good!
	The title and the word-of-mouth reputation of the
show may scare some over forty potential audience
members.  Fear not.  The preview audience was in the
upper age ranges and thoroughly enjoyed itself.  For
younger audiences it is a vehicles that is a pure
audience grabbers.
	HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH is an engaging and exciting
evening of theatre!
	The show runs at Cleveland Public Theatre, 6415
Detroit Avenue, from December 6– 31.  Looking for
something to do on New Year’s Eve?  Rock out with the
final production of Hedwig..dinner, entertainment and
the show.  For more reservations please call
216-631-2727. 

	RADIO CITY CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR

	What more can be said of the Rockettes and the Radio
City Christmas Spectacular.  The production has proven
its entertainment value.  It’s been drawing audiences
for 75 years.  Their Cleveland premiere is being met
with such excitement that in pre-sales the State
Theatre attendance record has already been broken.  
	Is the show really that good?  The first act is
everything one would imagine.  A permanent smile was
on the face of not only the dancing Rockettes but
every audience member.  The second act, however, was
somewhat of a let-down.  After the intermission there
were less Rockettes and more of Santa and Mrs. Claus,
little people, cute animal characters, and backup
singers and dancers.  And, as a curtain call,  the
famous living nativity complete with camels, sheep and
a donkey.    One must wonder in this post September
11th era, at time of needing to bring people together,
why no attempt was made to make the entire experience
one that could embrace the celebrations of those other
than Christians.  Those celebrating Hanukkah, Kwanza,
Ramadan, or those who believe in peace with no
religious meaning were totally left out.  
	That being said, the stars of the show were the
Rockettes.  They are amazing.  They dance with the
precision of no other dance group.  Though only 18
dancers appear here, in contrast to the 36 in New
York, there is no question of their abilities.  They
do tap, ballet, the Can Can, marching and their famous
high kicks with ease and exactness.  Wow!
	Children of all ages will enjoy the RADIO CITY
CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR.
	The show runs through December 30 at the State
Theatre in Playhouse Square.  Tickets which range from
$20 to $60 are on sale at the Playhouse Square Box
Office, Tickets.com, 216-241-6000, 1-800-766-6048 or
on line at www.playhousesquare.com.  



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