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The production, with a book by John Cameron Mitchell, music and lyrics by Stephen Trask and direction by Michael Mayer, was initially announced as a 16-week limited engagement; it turned into a 76-week run, for a total of 22 previews and 506 regular performances.
Beyond Broadway, a national tour of Hedwig and the Angry Inch will start in San Francisco on Oct. 4, 2016, with productions also being planned for the West End and Australia.
Producer David Binder said in a recent statement, "When we announced our limited 16-week Broadway engagement of Hedwig, never in my wildest dreams did I think it would run for a year and a half. Hedwig heralded a historic year of acceptance and celebration across America. It has been a privilege to work with our extraordinary leading men Neil, Andrew, Michael, John, Darren and Taye; Lena Hall, Rebecca Naomi Jones, Shannon Conley, and our kick-ass band, Tits of Clay. I am so happy that Michael Mayer's groundbreaking production has introduced Hedwig to a new generation of fans and brought John and Stephen’s downtown show into the mainstream. The vision of these artists was truly ahead of its time. I couldn’t be prouder of the entire team and am thrilled that audiences across the U.S. will soon be able to experience our show when it begins its national tour." Diggs began performances July 22 at Broadway's Belasco. He succeeded "Glee" star Darren Criss (who played through July 19) and is the first African-American actor to play Hedwig in New York.
He is joined by Rebecca Naomi Jones, who began performances as Yitzhak April 14.
The Broadway premiere of the cult rock musical began previews March 29, 2014, at the Belasco, prior to an official opening April 22 with Neil Patrick Harris in the title role. Tony nominee Andrew Rannells succeeded Harris, and Michael C. Hall succeeded Rannells. Writer John Cameron Mitchell played the part after Hall.
Click here to see how Mitchell compares each Hedwig to a superhero!
Hedwig features a book by Mitchell, music and lyrics by Trask, direction by Mayer and musical staging by Spencer Liff. Justin Craig is musical director.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch partnered with The Hetrick-Martin Institute, donating more than $500,000 since the show opened on Broadway in 2014. Hedwig and the Angry Inch has been an HMI supporter since 2003 helping LGBTQ at-risk youth through ticket sales, album proceeds and fundraising.
When it closes, Hedwig holds the record as the longest-running show to have opened at the Belasco. Though Oh! Calcutta! holds the theatre's overall long-run record, having played there from February 1969 to February 1971, it transferred there from the downtown Eden Theatre (now the Village East Cinemas).
The Belasco Theatre Box Office is located at 111 West 44th Street. For more information, visit HedwigBroadway.com.
