'Hedwig and the Angry Inch' rocks the Pantages

After taking San Francisco by storm "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" has arrived in Los Angeles and was received with overwhelmingly cheerful anticipation by a wildly enthusiastic audience. Leading up to the opening night was a star studded "pink" carpet setting the tone of the evening.

Then it was curtain time; but rather than the expected lights down and music up it was the Angry Inch band that launched the show with unabashed enthusiasm.

"Hedwig and the Angry Inch" is a rather complex and somewhat other worldly tale of Hedwig Robinson who playwright John Cameron Mitchell describes as not trans woman but rather "She's more than a woman or a man, she's a gender of one and that is accidentally so beautiful." Hedwig is played by Grammy nominated Darren Criss who also played Hedwig on Broadway. Hedwig is in an atypical relationship with Yitzhak, a Jewish drag queen and Hedwig's husband played by Tony award winner Lena Hall.

"Hedwig and the Angry Inch" is essentially the life story of Hedwig starting with her early life in East Berlin and unfolding over the years until...well you will just have to see for yourself. The music is largely influenced by the glam rock style of the 1970's with a touch of early punk. It is delivered by the Angry Inch band with inescapable and utterly enjoyable gusto. The show also engages in an abundance of direct audience involvement accelerating the energy even more. The stage craft was as good as it gets with genuinely amazing visuals perhaps most notably being the projections displayed during the lullaby scene. Each and every performer was pure joy to watch but with Darren Criss just plain killing it.

You will laugh and you may cry but you will absolutely totally enjoy "Hedwig and the Angry Inch." Just one caution, it really isn't suitable for children and the theatre recommends those who attend be at least 13 years old. That said, this is a show you will just flat out never forget.

"Hedwig and the Angry Inch" is currently playing at the Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90028 now through November 27th. Performances are Tuesday through Friday evenings at 8:00 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 1:00 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. You sho