Review: Hedwig and the Angry Inch by Austin Rainbow Theatre (ART)
by Hannah Neuhauser
How long did it take for you to become whole?
There are two parts to every person – the mask and the heart. What we show to the world and what we forcibly repress in shadow. These parts coexist. In each of us that darkness is waiting to be heard and will come to the spotlight – whether we are ready or not. It is a necessary journey to reach completion through radical acceptance. Sacrificial artifice is mere entertainment. Dropping the mask and revealing your true soul – that is a showstopper.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch (1998) is a fierce coming-of-rock-of-ages musical that mixes glam rock songs, drag performances, and heartfelt drama. East-German immigrant pop sensation Hedwig undergoes an existential crisis during her Austin debut concert , and it will move you from rolling in laughter to drowning in tears. On stage is her incredible band and Yitzak (Sandra Bates), former-drag star / backup vocalist / Hedwig’s husband, stuck at the sidelines waiting to shine.
I mention Sandra Bates by name because she is the ever constant supporting cast member of the show and she is phenomenal. Her voice, clear as bell, tackles complex tight dissonant harmonies with finesse, and is consistently giving face. Even in shadows, each toss of the countless wigs, flick of her eyebrow, and glance at the floor,holds restrained rage and intense tragedy. Hedwig has denied Yitzak their identity, placing him in a corner because she was heartened by his talent. Like so many of us, we seek to control what we cannot gain for ourselves. It is an ugly truth exected brilliantly in John Cameron Mitchell and Stephan Trask’s musical.
Hedwig the production is emotionally intense and physically demanding. Glam Rock, like splatter paint, is colorful, beautiful, and messy. Songs range the psychedelic 60s lullaby “The Origin of Love” to the bursting belts of “Sugar Daddy” and metallic screams of “Angry Inch.” To save voices and showcase unique talent,s Austin Rainbow Theatre has invited not one, not two, but THREE Hedwigs! Depending on which weekend you attend, you will see Juni Nguyen (March 28-29), Evah Deconstruction (April 2-5), or Michael Reyna /Cheeki Khant (April 9-11) in the title role.
On opening weekend, Juni was an absolute riot! She was giving Miss Piggy energy, shoving Kermit / Yitzak to the side with playful moi mentality. Her audience interaction was attentive and clever, and she never missed a single beat of the music. Not to mention, her legs – any person who can do a cartwheel into a split in 6-INCH HEELS has my ultimate respect. And that came when the show wasn’t even over, there were 20 minutes of quality entertainment left to go! I was charmed by her engaging performance and have no doubt her fellow Hedwigs will be equally as fabulous, especially with the support of this band.
Shout out to tech crew, especially Marigold Copeland, standing on a lonely platform for 90 minutes straight to beam that spotlight on these fabulous performers! Shout out to this band shredding it on stage with musical director Andy Heger – Kiss would be proud to have y’all open for them! And above all – this set. It’s like a 1980s neon bowling alley threw up inside Ground Floor Theatre to create the ultimate punk concert venue. Bold yellow lightning bolts, electric blue eyes, and a gorgeous fuchsia disc of divided soulmates. The amps splattered with paint perfectly match Brady Faucett’s costumes – I want those overalls so bad. And the lighting! Patrick Anthony – I remember your work from Penfold’s 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee and you just have a knack for musical timing. The bisexual color palette, the rhythm, the oozing of light to highlight these climatic moments of vulnerability – superb.
If I have a single criticism, it is the audio mixing. I get it that the reverb is to show the oven flashback to Hedwig’s childhood but it's more distracting than interesting. Keep the dialogue, loose the furnace filter. You don’t need it.
Also, please supply earplugs to audience members liable to sensory overload! It is already difficult to discern the lyrics / dialogue of the show given the muffled and raw punk style. If the music is too loud, especially for your sideline audience members, this may make them awkward or inept when they’re called to do the sing-along. Oh yeah, there’s a sing-along and lots of performance interaction. Nowhere to hide if you are in the front rows. Either sit in the back facing the front like a traditional production or if you are adventurous, sit on the sides and watch the magic. You won’t be disappointed.
This show is 90 minutes. No intermission. Hold it or make it an aesthetic.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch also has an Age Requirement. 18+ only.
If you are open to something new, want to support queer art, or love glam rock, this is a show for you! Tickets can be found at https://austinrainbowtheatre.org/shows/hedwig-and-the-angry-inch/.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Austin Rainbow Theatre (ART)
March 27 - April 11, 2026
Ground Floor Theatre
979 Springdale Rd
Austin, TX, 78702
