Monthly Archives: May 2018

Todd Almond as Hedwig & a. Beth Harris as Yitzhak in ETC’s 2003 production. Photo by Sandy Underwood.

(Cincinnati, OH) Take a walk on the wild side! Dressed to impress, Todd Almond steps back into the title role of Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati’s season closer Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Written by John Cameron Mitchell with music and lyrics by Stephen Trask, this award-winning rock musical is an innovative, heartbreaking, and wickedly funny story of a gender-crossed glam rocker determined to become a superstar. The regional revival of ETC’s 2001 and 2003 hit production is a rocking ride, entertaining, touching, and ultimately inspiring to anyone who has felt life gave them an inch when they deserved a mile. Playing June 5-July 1, 2018. Directed by D. Lynn Meyers. Presented by The Rosenthal Family Foundation and sponsored by LPK.

This landmark musical tells the captivating story of Hedwig, a fourth-wall-smashing, rock ‘n’ roll goddess. Backed by her punk rock band “The Angry Inch,” Hedwig weaves her tragically beautiful journey: escaping East Berlin as Hansel and arriving at a Kansas trailer park as Hedwig. Through the soaring rock songs and sidesplitting monologues, we follow Hedwig as she stalks rock star Tommy Speck’s world tour. Divided between conqueror and victim, Hedwig demands redress from Tommy for stealing her songs, her fame, and her love. Called “the best rock musical ever,” by Rolling Stone, this genre-bending musical sensation, with a pulsing score and electrifying performances, is a darkly humorous tale about sacrifice, gender identity, and love in all its forms.

“We were compelled to do Hedwig and the Angry Inch this season to celebrate a play that kept us open in 2001 when very few people were coming to Over-the-Rhine,” says Producing Artistic Director D. Lynn Meyers. “However, we survived and are now thriving. A lot of that started with Hedwig. It’s amazing to tell a story with this much heart, compassion, and understanding that also has an amazing score and an awesome band. It’s going to be fabulous!” 

About the Cast

Todd Almond (Hedwig) is a composer, lyricist, and playwright. His Ensemble Theatre credits include I Am My Own Wife (subsequently reprised at Actors Theatre of Louisville, Florida Studio Theatre, and New Hampshire Theatre Project ), Hedwig and the Angry Inch in 2001 and 2003, the world premiere of James and Annie, and Vigil. His other credits include musical director for the recent production of Suzan-Lori Park’s F**cking A, Signature Theatre; original music for the off-Broadway production of How to Transcend a Happy Marriage, Lincoln Center; original music for the Broadway production of Noises Off!, Roundabout Theatre; book for Girlfriend (songs by Matthew Sweet, directed by Les Waters), Center Theatre Group and Know Theatre of Cincinnati; book, music, and lyrics for Kansas City Choir Boy (also starred alongside Courtney Love and was directed by Kevin Newbury), Prototype Festival, American Repertory Theater, and Center Theater Group; music, lyrics, book/adaptation for The Odyssey, The Winter’s Tale, and The Tempest (directed by Lear deBessonet), Delacorte—Public Theater’s Public Works Program; Iowa (collaboration with playwright Jenny Schwartz, directed by Ken Rus Schmoll), Playwrights Horizons; and score for Melancholy Play (a chamber-musical version of Sarah Ruhl’s play).

Beth Harris (Yitzhak) appeared at Ensemble Theatre in the 2001 and 2003 productions of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Her other acting credits include Skin Tight, Syncopation, the 1999 production of Violet, and many others. She is busy in the studio recording backing vocals for various artists and recently toured with Erika Wennerstrom
from Heartless Bastards to promote Wennerstrom’s solo album “Sweet Unknown.” Currently, Ms. Harris is collaborating with songwriter and front man Nic Powers from the bands Static Falls and The Sweep on various projects while also performing with him on his solo material, joined by local guitar favorite Brendan Bogosian from the bands Vire, Static Falls, and The Tigerlilies. She is a longtime member of legendary Cincinnati bands The Hiders and The Perfect Children and recently joined The Brian Olive Band. Ms. Harris is the co-owner and operator of The Listing Loon, one of Cincinnati’s staple establishments for beer, wine, and live music, located in historic Northside.

Rejoining Todd Almond and a. Beth Harris for this production are band members from ETC’s original Hedwig productions: Billy Alletzhauser (guitar), Andrew Smithson (keyboard), and Sam Womelsdorf (guitar). Additionally, ETC welcomes to the band Josh Pilot (bass) and Tim Seiwert (drums).

Production team includes Brian c. Mehring (Set & Lighting Designer), Jack Murphy (Technical Director), Matthew Hollstegge (Production Manager), Shannon Rae Lutz (Properties Master & Design Assistant), Matt Callahan (Sound Designer), a. Beth Harris (Musical Director), Stormie Mac (Costume Designer), and Raven D. Payne (Wig & Makeup Designer). Production Stage Manager is Brandon T. Holmes. Assistant Stage Manager is Elizabeth Freyman. 

Performance Information
Performances run Tuesday through Sunday. Tuesday-Thursday, 7:30 pm; Friday and Saturday, 8:00 pm; Saturday and Sunday, 2:00 pm; and Sunday, 7:00 pm. A complete calendar of performances is available online at www.ensemblecincinnati.org. 

Ticket Prices
Ticket prices start at $35 for adults and $28 for students. Half-Price Rush Tickets: All remaining tickets for the current day’s performance(s) are available two hours prior to each show time for half-price (discount does not apply to children’s tickets) when purchasing by phone or in person. $15 Student Rush Tickets: Students may purchase up to two $15 student rush tickets two hours prior to show time with valid student I.D. Available in person only, tickets and seating subject to availability.

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Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is supported, in part, by the generosity of community contributions to the ArtsWave Campaign.

The Ohio Arts Council helps fund Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati also receives funding from the Shubert Foundation and the National Endowment for the Arts.

2017-2018 Season Presenting Sponsor is the Otto M. Budig Family Foundation. Additional support provided PNC. 

Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati is a professional theatre dedicated to producing world and regional premieres of works that often explore compelling social issues. We fulfill our mission through our stage productions and educational outreach programs that enlighten, enliven, enrich and inspire our audiences.