Stars in Hedwig and the Angry Inch
The Palm Cabaret and Bar: May 09, 16 and 27 at 7:30 pm
It took Jordon Carnegie three long years – the entire time he and his husband Richard have lived in Vallarta – to secure the rights to bring Hedwig and the Angry Inch to Mexico.
He started in New York City, was redirected to Mexico City, and instantly hit a wall of negativity. A year later, he reapplied and was approved, and his dream to present Hedwig in all her tainted glory began to take shape.
The musicians are critical to this rock musical but, of course, everybody was working like crazy during season – not ever together – so rehearsals were done via Zoom. Once everything began to gel, the drummer had to be replaced and had only ONE cohesive rehearsal prior to Opening Night. I am here to attest that Marco ‘Zorro’ Villa stole the show, which is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of this very tight team.
And then one must pay for the rights to produce each show. Jordon was able to obtain them without going broke (barely) before a ticket was sold. It is so complicated. Then, there were costumes that had to be made, and the wigs that are the very heart of the show had to be procured.
And then, Jordan had to find a costar—the only other cast member. She had to play a subservient Mexican boy, sullen but extraordinarily fast on the pickup. trailing his/her master around like a beaten dog. But, oh, that voice. Angry. Everybody is angry! But a voice so sweet. Jordon found her in Yoalli Guerrero. It was a match made in punk rock heaven.
And all Jordon had to do after all of that was learn 90 straight minutes of dialogue, without time to take a decent breath, between songs. And dance, and fly through the audience with a vengeance, with said servant ducking and running behind, picking up and coiling microphone cords, with head down, never looking anyone in the eye.
The show is powerfully electrifying. Weird as hell and fabulous in the telling. If the final three shows generate the well-deserved outcome – Standing Room Only, perhaps Hedwig and the Angry Inch will join next winter’s season at The Palm.
Kudos, Jordon Carnegie; I am so grateful you spent a couple of hours with me. The backstories of the makings of this impeccable production were fascinating. Thank you.
