On its own, Hedwig and the Angry Inch is a cult-classic musical packed with unforgettable songs, driven by a devastating narrative, and bursting with ferocious sexual energy.
Signature Theatre’s production, now playing at its smaller ARK Theatre, doesn’t just break the fourth wall; it invites its audience to a genderqueer glam-rock session. It is a solid introduction to the work for new audiences and a nostalgic reintroduction for Hedheads. Hedwig is not a straight play (pun intended). The titular character addresses the audience throughout the entire play. Think of this show as equal parts stand-up narrative, rock show, and musical.
With music and lyrics by Stephen Trask and a book by John Cameron Mitchell, the musical follows Hedwig Robinson, a genderqueer East German singer of a fictional rock and roll band. The story draws on events and people from Mitchell’s life, namely a family babysitter who moonlighted as a sex worker at her trailer park home in Junction City, Kansas. With musical inspiration from David Bowie, John Lennon, and punk music, the show attained a cult following and critical success, running on Broadway, in the West End, and in a film version.
Signature’s own Ethan Heard hits the right tones with the production’s narrative. The show is bolstered by incredible singing performances from both Sawyer Smith (Hedwig) and Vanessa (V) Sterling (Yitzhak). Their singing objectively outperforms the original and 2014 Broadway album recordings. So much so that with accompaniment and musical direction (DC favorite Marika Countouris), the tone of the music seemed to emphasize the glam and showcase the moments of celebration and joy. My guest commented on how “Wig in a Box” was her favorite performance of the night, which is as it should be for a new convert to the Hedwig cult. It’s a great song, go find it on Spotify. Neil Patrick Harris does a pretty good job with it.
Hey, did you catch that mid-paragraph sentence? Yes, I did say that Smith and Sterling sang it better than NPH.
With Richie Ouellette creating a very elaborate and gorgeous punk DC dive-bar setting (think Jimmie Valentine’s Lonely Hearts Club), and very glamorific costumes and wig designs (Erik Teague and Ali Pohanka), this production has a lot of love bolstering its creation. Indeed, artistic director Matthew Gardiner talks about having selected this work to celebrate the upcoming DC World Pride events.
And this is where I pause, because for all the love I have for this work, it’s not without controversy. Arielle Cottingham explains it better than I could, but the sense that this is a work that properly speaks to the LGBT community is a bit flawed. Signature’s production fixes some of these issues by casting genderqueer actors and giving them the space to explore the characters, and here is where I see a missed opportunity.
Hedwig is a cult-like abuser. She strips her partner Yitzhak of their/his passport, she berates the band. She directly makes fun of the audience. She engages in sexual activity with a minor. The work addresses this evolution, somewhat, in Hedwig’s final stripped-down, emotional downfall, and the subsequent elevation of Yitzhak. But this particular production doesn’t dwell long on the moments of anguish. An example of how we transition from the songs “Angry Inch” to “Wig in a Box” gives the sense that the actors and space could have been given some time to breathe.
And part of this is the setting; Hedwig’s dominating presence is somewhat buried by the staging, with the Angry Inch Band tucked into the back corner of the stage. Although the sound is well-performed and -adjusted for the actors’ higher voice range, the music engulfs not just Hedwig but also her presence on the stage.
And yet, this production highlights the complexity of queer evolution. What does not work should be torn down. What helps us grow should be celebrated. Signature provides a welcoming, health-focused, and celebratory space (as you arrive at the theater, they provide audiences with earplugs, condoms, sanitary pads, and fentanyl testing strips, along with amazing decorations). For both Hedwig fans and newcomers, this is a good opportunity to don a wig for a glam-punk, hard-rock celebration.
Running Time: Approximately 95 minutes, no intermission.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch plays through June 22, 2025, in the ARK Theatre at Signature Theatre, 4200 Campbell Avenue, Arlington, VA. For tickets ($40–$93), call (703) 820-9771 or purchase online. Information about Signature’s ticket discounts is available here, and TodayTix discounts are here.
The program for Hedwig and the Angry Inch is online here.
Closed captions are available via the GalaPro app.
COVID Safety: Masks are optional in the lobby and other public areas of the building except that face masks are required inside the performance spaces on April 27 at 2 PM, May 20 at 7:30 PM, and June 12 at 8 PM. Signature’s COVID Safety Measures can be found here.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
Text by John Cameron Mitchell
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Trask
Directed by Ethan Heard
SEE ALSO:
Signature Theatre announces cast and creatives for ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ (news story, March 24, 2025)
