Following in the lofty stilettos of the great John Cameron Mitchell, the Tony Award-winning Neil Patrick Harris, the estimable Michael C. Hall and the highly-appreciable Andrew Rannells is no easy feat. Despite being perhaps a decade too young for the role, we’re still ridiculously thrilled that heartthrob Darren Criss is donning glitter makeup, a blond wig and fishnet hose to play that most challenging of contemporary musical theater transgender heroines, Hedwig in the hit Broadway revival of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. The former Glee star, already a vet of the Great White Way thanks to his appearance in How to Succeed In Business Without Really Trying, has made no secret of his excitement at being cast in the lead. Today, the 28-year-old stunner tweeted a first peek at what we can expect of his physical transformation. (We hope those luscious bushy eyebrows of his will grow back.)
I put on some makeup… http://t.co/VzasvoxvLJ @HedwigOnBway pic.twitter.com/4aF62sZXVF
— Darren Criss (@DarrenCriss) April 13, 2015
Below you can watch Criss barely contain himself at the thought of returning to the stage. Break a leg, buddy!
Ralph Jaeger
You know I thought he’d be prettier than he is.
Jeffrey Mark Pierce
terrible casting
musctop
It’s all a little too Melissa Manchester for me.
Roland Hamburger
He isn’t pretty in this at all.
dhmonarch89
I can see Darren doing the songs, but his look seems to boyish for Hedwig
Cam
He is a handsome guy, but his strong jaw is going to look a bit masculine as Hedwig. Look at Alyssa Edwards from drag race, a very weak chin as a guy but looks very very feminine in drag.
J.r. Graff
Glad they told him the beard had to go.
jantheman4903
he needs to lose muscle..he is a fairly widebuilt man/thick. even nph lost prob 20 lbs. can make a big difference, pull cheekbones out, give more vulnerability. he is definitely talented enough in general..but yea not sure. and i am a big fan of his.
DarthKitsune
I think Darren is cute, and as gay as glitter on a twink’s ass. However, his face is a little too masculine for this role.
SteveDenver
Dear Queers: HEDWIG IS NOT ABOUT “PRETTY.”
I saw Criss in “How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying,” and he’s spectacular. That boy is a firework: tiny and explosive. I hope he can rip off Hedwig’s song with the guts they need, his singing voice and delivery tends to be sweet.