HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH - SMITHTOWN PERFORMING ARTS CENTER | 7.25.26
Smithtown Performing Arts Center in conjunction with Artists in Spotlight is currently presenting “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” as a 3 show limited run. “Hedwig” is a high energy rock musical about a German rock singer living with a botched sex change, traveling the country on tour alongside (but not related to) her ex-boyfriend’s considerably more successful tour. The show takes place at one of Hedwig’s concerts as she tells stories of her childhood, relationships, and career in between rousing rock music and heartfelt ballads.
In the role of Hedwig is Steven Charles, who showed his versatility as a performer in spades. I have had the pleasure of seeing him perform a number of roles over the years, but nothing like this! Utilizing a German accent, he motored through monologue after monologue with comedy and emotion. Listening to him take on rock music - a genre very different from previous roles he has played - was phenomenal to hear. His rich-like-butter voice worked amazingly well on numbers like “The Origin of Love” and my personal favorite of the night, “Angry Inch.” In this number Charles erupts with energy and confidence like I have never seen! Truly a joy. Based on this number, you would never believe he has sung anything but rock his whole life. Towards the end of the show (not looking to spoil anything here) he showed a vulnerability I’ve not seen from him either, bringing new meaning to the phrase “he left it all on the stage.”
Also at the concert is Hedwig’s husband Yitzhak, played by Jess Ader-Ferretti. Yitzhak is there to sing backup for Hedwig and provide additional support through costume changes etc. but this service is not done with a smile! Hedwig often speaks sharply to Yitzhak and despite visible signs of resentment, still gets the job done. Ader-Ferretti got this one right! Her deadpan expression of exasperation burned like daggers that I felt all the way up in the balcony and her vocals soared as well. Yitzhak sings a little bit in every song, but the high notes Ader-Ferretti reached during “Exquisite Corpse” gave me chills - and there was even a moment where she softly sang bits from a Whitney Houston song underneath one of Charles’ monologues that was really beautiful.
Ronnie Green is back on the scene as well - this time as the show’s Director and Costumer who is always consistent in his quality of work, and this was no exception. The decision to have the band on stage was appropriate for presenting a concert and extremely engaging as well. This might be a minor point for others, but there were moments where Hedwig was telling a story and addressing the audience and you would see members of the band chatting quietly behind - which is exactly what I would expect to see at a proper rock concert. I love moments like this! The band sounded amazing and complemented Charles and Ader-Ferretti perfectly.
It is also important to note the decision to cast Charles in this role - needless to say, it is not customary (and in a town like Smithtown I would venture to say also not preferred) to cast a black man as a queer German character. The decision to do so here is courageous and as a queer, male identifying black theater performer myself I was exceedingly pleased to see this. Kudos to Green and Smithtown Performing Arts Center for representing what theater is supposed to be - inclusive and *truly* for all - and I applaud Charles for being brave enough to wear the heels and wig.
“Hedwig and The Angry Inch” has two shows left - Thursday, July 30th and Saturday, August 1st - and tickets can be purchased via their website at smithtownpac.org.
Steven Charles also took some time to chat with me on the kyle petty show - we discussed everything from what the role of hedwig means to him, how he found some of himself in the character, and shared some favorite long island theater memories!
check it out on youtube, spotify, and apple podcasts!
Cast:
Hedwig - Steven Charles
Yitzhak - Jess Ader-Ferretti
Band:
Shiloh Bennett
Bill Dwyer
Greg Franz
Jared Grossman
Dominick Napoli
Mike O’Shea
Chris Russo
Sean Ryan
Joey Sheehan
Creative Team:
Director/Costumer - Ronnie Green
Stage Manager - Madeline Dobias
Lighting Design - Dr. Nicholas Cariello
Lighting Programmer - Lucas Pitello
Sound Design/Operation - Dylan Hutchins
