Entertainment Entertainment News Art "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" opens at Corn Stock
"Hedwig and the Angry Inch" opens at Corn Stock
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- Published on Wednesday, 06 February 2013 17:18
- Written by Paul Gordon
Folks heading to Corn Stock Theatre this weekend are in for something different — considerably so — than the usual community theatre fare.
They'll be going to see a rock concert in which a play breaks out. Or something along those lines.
"Hedwig and the Angry Inch" opens a five-show run at 7:30 p.m. on Friday at the Corn Stock Winter Playhouse in Upper Bradley Park. Rife with gender confusion largely because of a botched sex change operation, "Hedwig" is the name of the title character.
It is being played by a man because Hedwig was a man known as Hansel before the operation left him with an angry inch.
Hedwig's chief love interest in the show is Yitzhak, a man who is being played by a woman.
Got that?
Oh yeah, "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" not only refers to what became of our main character's life, it is also the name of his rock band as he tells his life story, with some music between dialogue, said Rachel Wooden, who is directing the Corn Stock production of what has become a cult classic.
"It's going to be a lot like you're attending a rock concert," Wooden said. "You know how in a concert the band will talk between songs, sometimes about themselves or other stuff going on? But in this case, he is talking about his own life, his sad story about what happened to him."
Hedwig, then known as Hansel, was living in Berlin before the wall came down and fell in love with a U.S. soldier. He could not leave Berlin with the soldier, however, unless he had the sex change operation.
The telling of the story includes some great music in between, Wooden said. "And I love that besides rock the music blends other genres into the play, as well."
Wooden proposed "Hedwig" to Corn Stock because, first, she wanted to direct a musical that has been one of her favorite contemporary shows since she heard the music and saw the movie seven or eight years ago. Second, she believed it was the kind of edgy show that would do well at Corn Stock's Winter Playhouse, which is about the only place in Peoria that will do edgy, adult plays and musicals.
It is Wooden's first directorial effort at Corn Stock, where she has been onstage for a couple musicals, "Hair" last summer in the Corn Stock tent and "Side Show" at the Winter Playhouse in 2008. She also has performed in shows at Eastlight Theatre and Peoria Players.
"Directing is a lot more work than acting in a show because there is so much more than has to be done, that is the responsibility of the director. But it's worth it because that is my vision up on the stage," she said.
Another person involved with the show who had a vision of it is Chip Joyce, veteran performer and director who is portraying Hedwig. "Chip has loved this show as much as I have and he came into auditions basically as Hedwig. He took over the stage and was the obvious choice," Wooden said.
For his part, Joyce said he has wanted to be part of a "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" production since 2001, when he first saw the film and heard the music. "I just happened upon the movie and found it hilarious and I loved it. I've always hoped it would be done in Peoria some day but I never thought I would get to play the lead role myself," he said.
"I am thrilled that I get to do so," he added.
The set resembles a rock concert stage and the band is part of the cast. It includes the character Yitzhak, being portrayed by Kelly Kooken-Nehls in her Corn Stock debut.
To continue giving the show that rock concert feeling, a "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" merchandise table has been set up in the foyer outside the theatre. Profits from the sale of the merchandise will be donated to the Acorn Equality Fund, a "grassroots organization that provides financial support for the advancement of the education, health and civil rights of gay, lesbian and transgender persons and their allies in downstate Illinois."
Tickets for "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" are $15 for adults and $10 for students. They can be reserved by calling 686-2196.
Show times are 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 8, 9, 15 and 16 and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Feb. 10.
Paul Gordon is editor of The Peoria. He can be reached at 692-7880 or editor@thepeorian.com
