Serious actors and musicians lurk around Las Vegas. Some star in major productions that veil the depth of their abilities while others work a variety of casino and stage jobs to pay the rent. Magnificent theaters in massive hotels strive to produce shows with as much excitement as Nevada Theatre Company's "Hedwig and the Angry Inch."
The small strip--mall store that NTC's artistic director, Deanna Duplechain, converted into a black box theater nearly four years ago embodies the spirit in a town often accused of having no soul. It's a place where actors can create and take chances. Rather than clinging to the normal community theater fare of Neil Simon comedies and done-to-death musicals, Duplechain takes chances with riskier plays and original productions. She also trusts other artists, hiring Steve Tapper to direct this show.
In this show, set designer Steve Turner converts the space into a comfy club with a simple stage and love seats and couches for the audience to enjoy the music. (Set pieces from past productions serve as ambient seats for patrons.)
"Hedwig and the Angry Inch" is the off-Broadway hit turned into an acclaimed independent film in 2001. John Cameron Mitchell starred and wrote the text while Stephen Trask penned the music and lyrics for this show, which plays like a punk-rock cabaret. Most notably, "Origins of Love," "Wig in a Box," and "Wicked Little Town" are more memorable than ninety percent of the Broadway show tunes composed in the last decade.
Every song howls with the passion of a person struggling to accept who she is while trying to find the love that makes you whole. Hedwig (played here by Marcus Weiss) grew up in East Germany, before the wall came down. Originally named Hansel, he met a man, Luther, with whom he fell in love. Luther encourages him to have a sex change, so they can immigrate to America as husband and wife, but the sex change is botched, leaving him with an inch of androgynous flesh. So she takes her mother's name, Hedwig, and moves to the United States.
But even harder times are in store, as Luther (only mentioned onstage rather than embodied by another actor), leaves Hedwig penniless in a Kansas City trailer park. She meets Tommy Speck, a boy she loves and molds into a big rock star. Once famous, he leaves Hedwig in despair, stealing her songs. Only a freak accident brings Hedwig into the spotlight with her band, the Angry Inch. Hedwig's second husband, Yitzak (played by Amy Carrelli) struggles to live in Tommy's shadow.
But don't let all the players in this tale fool you. Marcus Weiss' Hedwig is only joined onstage by members of his band: Jacek (Bryan Todd), Krzyhtoff (Frank Salvo), Schlatko (Patrick Hutchison), Schmeirnoff (Adam Rushfield), Skszp (Joseph Brailsford) and Yitzak. Not only are all of these performers fantastic musicians, but they also focus so intently on Hedwig, reacting appropriately to every joke and monologue. David Tapper's vivid direction molds their intensity as musicians into riveting acting. With the exception of Carelli (bassist for the band Jupiter Shifter), the rest of the Angry Inch is really a band called Pilot to Orion, a local group acclaimed as one of the best in Vegas.
But this is Mr. Weiss' show. His performance is miraculous in this very challenging role. Reading his short bio in the program only gives an inkling of insight into his abilities. When he's not Hedwig, he's one of the Blue Men in Blue Man Group at the Luxor. When he's not doing that, he stars in the famous Second City improvisational troupe at the Flamingo Hotel.
Under Elvis Lederer's musical direction, Weiss soars with the vocal diversity the role demands. Little falsetto is needed, but the range and dynamic of tackling such music requires a versatile voice. Weiss embraces the music as if it werehis own poetry. As he strips away each layer of his drag, revealing most of his lean, muscular frame, he exposes Hedwig's angst, her search for love and acceptance.
Weiss also understands when a cleverly improvised quip is important, making an occasional reference to a cheesy local attorney or reacting to someone in the audience with a sharp remark.
At the heart of this play, however, is its ability to make the audience see through the trailer trash veneer into the soul of a human being who recognizes that she must accept herself before she can truly recognize another person's love. It's that struggle that Nevada Theater Company captures with its superb performance.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch plays Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at midnight through November 8 at Nevada Theatre Company, 2928 Lake East Drive, Las Vegas, NV 89117. A special benefit performance will be at the House of Blues inside Mandalay Bay on November 24. For tickets and info, call (702) 837-0191 or go to www.nevadatheatreco.org