# Hedwig and the Angry Inch! - An SDMB Musical thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 18, 2009, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hedwig-and-the-angry-inch-an-sdmb-musical-thread/500220 "2009-06-18T21:56:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hedwig-and-the-angry-inch-an-sdmb-musical-thread/500220/1 "2009-06-18T21:56:52Z")
Sorry guys, this OP is going to be weak. I am in the middle of moving and I just haven’t had time to compose a proper OP. That being said, I don’t think this movie needs much in the way of OP. So let’s have at it! The movie rocks, the music is awesome, it is a good play but I think a better flick. It raises some issues, makes you cry makes you laugh. I have 0 problems with anything about Hedwig. What say you all? ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hedwig-and-the-angry-inch-an-sdmb-musical-thread/500220/2 "2009-06-18T22:00:21Z")
It’s one of the only musicals I actually enjoy, the other notable one being “Rocky Horror Picture Show”. Maybe I only like musicals about sexual perversion? Bonus fact: I actually saw this movie for the first time in Junction City, KS, where much of the movie is set. ---
**Author:** ![choie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/choie/32/7829_2.png) [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hedwig-and-the-angry-inch-an-sdmb-musical-thread/500220/3 "2009-06-18T22:36:19Z")
You did mean this to go in Cafe Society, right? Reported this for ya. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hedwig-and-the-angry-inch-an-sdmb-musical-thread/500220/4 "2009-06-18T23:03:51Z")
Crap, where did I put it? Oh well, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![choie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/choie/32/7829_2.png) [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hedwig-and-the-angry-inch-an-sdmb-musical-thread/500220/5 "2009-06-18T23:13:38Z")
Games Room. No biggie! Something useful to add: _Hedwig…_ is available on Netflix’s “Watch Instantly” service. I’ve never seen it, as for some reason I associate/conflate it with _Priscilla Queen of the Desert_, which I also associate with Baz Luhrmann, and I’m kinda over him\*, but this might be a good time as any to give it a whirl. - I know this seems a really weird reason not to see a movie when in fact neither movie is even by Baz Lurhmann. I don’t claim to be very logical! ---
**Author:** ![Push\_You\_Down](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/push_you_down/32/9095_2.png) [@Push\_You\_Down](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Push_You_Down)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hedwig-and-the-angry-inch-an-sdmb-musical-thread/500220/6 "2009-06-18T23:17:02Z")
Really love this movie… and oddly, even though it was done constantly when I lived in Seattle, I never did see it live. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hedwig-and-the-angry-inch-an-sdmb-musical-thread/500220/7 "2009-06-18T23:30:52Z")
> [@choie](#): > > Games Room. No biggie! > > Something useful to add: _Hedwig…_ is available on Netflix’s “Watch Instantly” service. I’ve never seen it, as for some reason I associate/conflate it with _Priscilla Queen of the Desert_, which I also associate with Baz Luhrmann, and I’m kinda over him\*, but this might be a good time as any to give it a whirl. > > - I know this seems a really weird reason not to see a movie when in fact neither movie is even by Baz Lurhmann. I don’t claim to be very logical! Give it a whirl. It’s pretty awesome, and well worth seeing for the music alone. Take a look at [Origin of Love](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YO9FpWX57E), one of the better songs and sequinces in the film. (YouTube link) ---
**Author:** ![choie](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/choie/32/7829_2.png) [@choie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/choie)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hedwig-and-the-angry-inch-an-sdmb-musical-thread/500220/8 "2009-06-18T23:52:16Z")
> [@NAF1138](#): > > Give it a whirl. It’s pretty awesome, and well worth seeing for the music alone. > > Take a look at [Origin of Love](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YO9FpWX57E), one of the better songs and sequinces in the film. (YouTube link) Wow! That’s the sexiest episode of _Schoolhouse Rock_ ever! 😃 No seriously, that was fun. Good song and performance. I will check out _Hedwig_. (Plus, it’s free, what’s the harm?) ---
**Author:** ![Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/f19dbf/32.png) [@Only\_Mostly\_Dead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Only_Mostly_Dead)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2009, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hedwig-and-the-angry-inch-an-sdmb-musical-thread/500220/9 "2009-06-18T23:59:50Z")
I was going to mention its Free-ness on Netflix Instant, especially since I’ve had it in my queue for a while now, able to stream to the TV via Roku. It’s a good movie with great music. I especially love the Tommy Gnosis reprise of “Wicked Little Town,” as he gets a cosmic smack to the forehead with what he’s done to poor Hedwig. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 12:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hedwig-and-the-angry-inch-an-sdmb-musical-thread/500220/10 "2009-06-19T00:26:54Z")
I saw it on my first visit to New York back in 1997. I had never heard of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, but we had gotten free tickets for the show, as we were doing a story for the college paper about grads going off to Broadway to audition for shows, and while we were there we interviewed John Cameron Mitchell, who was a graduate of Northwestern. That night, I had a choice of either seeing the Lion King on Broadway, or to go to this off-Broadway show I had never heard anything of before the Mitchell interview. I opted for the latter and, boy, was I in for a treat. I actually enjoy musicals just fine, but the show was simply incredible. More-or-less a one-man performance with great music, manic energy, and a fun storyline. When the movie came out, I thought there was no way it could capture the energy of the show, but, I must admit, they did a very good job with the movie. I still far prefer the live performance, but the movie is an acceptable substitute. ---
**Author:** ![iftheresaway](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/ecae2f/32.png) [@iftheresaway](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iftheresaway)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hedwig-and-the-angry-inch-an-sdmb-musical-thread/500220/11 "2009-06-19T02:27:13Z")
I make pretty much everyone who comes to my house watch this movie - I just love it. Every component of it seems to work so well: the storyline is captivating, thoughtful, and well-paced; the sets are awesome; the acting is by turns hilarious and touching, and always honest; and of course the music is amazing. I wanted to dance to Origin of Love at my wedding, but the DJ lost the disc. ---
**Author:** ![troub](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troub/32/14802_2.png) [@troub](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/troub)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hedwig-and-the-angry-inch-an-sdmb-musical-thread/500220/12 "2009-06-19T02:37:40Z")
I love this movie, too. If anyone has an eMusic subscription, the album is there. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hedwig-and-the-angry-inch-an-sdmb-musical-thread/500220/13 "2009-06-19T04:01:10Z")
Hedwig has some good music in it, and I like the scene in the seafood resturaunt that goes awry. ---
**Author:** ![Eonwe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eonwe/32/240_2.png) [@Eonwe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eonwe)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hedwig-and-the-angry-inch-an-sdmb-musical-thread/500220/14 "2009-06-19T04:58:45Z")
I’ve never seen the stage production, but I’ve seen the movie a few times and really like it. _Origin of Love_ is a phenomenal song, both lyrically and production-wise; if it had been done by a rock star it would definitely have been a hit. ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 9:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hedwig-and-the-angry-inch-an-sdmb-musical-thread/500220/15 "2009-06-19T09:55:46Z")
I love the opening – it so totally smacks you in the face with “okay, we’re in Hedwig-land now.” This is one of two soundtrack CDs I’ve bought that have spent substantial amounts of time on the playlist – i.e., they’re great as albums, not just as soundtracks. (The other is the soundtrack to _Once_.) What’s interesting is that the “soundtrack” album isn’t actually from the movie soundtrack – these are slightly different versions of all the songs. Nothing significant, I don’t think, but that’s always the second thing I need to get oriented on when the movie starts. Does anyone know why? A note on the bandanna-wearing husband/boyfriend (?) with the 'stache – I had watched the movie at least three or four times before I processed the fact that he is played by a woman. This is #3 on my list of all-time favorite musicals – _Top Hat_ and _All that Jazz_ are nos. 1 and 2. People who keep track of my foibles will be struck by the fact that this is a dance-free movie, and yet it rates so high. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Contrapuntal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e274bd/32.png) [@Contrapuntal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Contrapuntal)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 10:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hedwig-and-the-angry-inch-an-sdmb-musical-thread/500220/16 "2009-06-19T10:04:55Z")
> [@twickster](#): > > A note on the bandanna-wearing husband/boyfriend (?) with the 'stache – I had watched the movie at least three or four times before I processed the fact that he is played by a woman. The crowd surfing scene at the end didn’t clue you in? ---
**Author:** ![twickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ec9cab/32.png) [@twickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/twickster)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hedwig-and-the-angry-inch-an-sdmb-musical-thread/500220/17 "2009-06-19T10:32:43Z")
Failure to pay attention, I guess. ---
**Author:** ![filling\_pages](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/b9bd4f/32.png) [@filling\_pages](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/filling_pages)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2009, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hedwig-and-the-angry-inch-an-sdmb-musical-thread/500220/18 "2009-06-19T14:12:26Z")
Yeah, they needed a male character but wanted a female voice. If you watch the deleted scenes, Yitzhak’s motivations make a lot more sense. The first time I saw this one, I was into it from the start. Then we got to the “Wig in a Box” scene, and when the side of the trailer dropped down to make a stage I almost fell out of my chair. It was just so perfect - trashy, but glamorous. ---
**Author:** ![Eureka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/74df32/32.png) [@Eureka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eureka)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2009, 11:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hedwig-and-the-angry-inch-an-sdmb-musical-thread/500220/19 "2009-06-27T11:42:24Z")
I’m finally getting around to watching this musical. My life has been slightly insane. The music is growing on me–it’s just not my style. I just watched the “Wig in a Box” scene, which is especially noteworthy today because of the lyric about Farrah Fawcett hair, in a week where she passed away and her famous hair was one of the big things mentioned repeatedly. (Farrah Fawcett was a trifle before my time. Although, I’m generally oblivious enough to celebrities that I may be wrong on that. )