Kicking off Pride Month, special guest JJ Hunt returns with descriptive highlights from the cult-classic film, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, a darkly humorous self-love story that explores gender identity, acceptance and the freedom to be whoever you want to be. Equal parts wounded tragedy, high-camp drama, and death-defying rock musical, the show blends concepts about gender and sexuality with the androgynous 1970s glam rock style of David Bowie (who co-produced the Los Angeles production of the show), as well as the work of John Lennon and early punk performers Lou Reed and Iggy Pop.
The story centres on Hedwig, a singer in a punk-rock band from East Berlin now living in Kansas following botched gender reassignment surgery that left them with an “angry inch”. Hedwig has their heart broken twice, first by the GI who coerced them into the operation to allow them to marry and emigrate, and then by Tommy Gnosis, who fell in love with Hedwig but then stole their songs and used them to become the rock star Hedwig always wanted to be.
It’s a tale that many have a deep connection to, not just because it’s hilarious, heart-breaking and has a phenomenal, timelessly cool, soundtrack but also because it taps into the fundamental question of identity and how it’s shaped by the relationships we have.
Similar to our Almost Live Rocky Horror Highlights event, JJ will describe the characters and visual elements and present his favourite song clips, with host Amy Amantea.
Joining Amy and JJ is another special guest, Greg Armstrong-Morris, a Vancouver actor who performed the role of Hedwig in a local stage production.
The VocalEye virtual lobby opens at 6:30 pm Pacific Time for some socializing and community updates with host Amy Amantea. The pre-show introduction will begin at 6:45 pm with Amy and guests. The featured show begins at 7 pm followed by conversation, Q and A and a prize draw.
If you’ve never attended a VocalEye Almost Live Zoom event before, you can register for just one event or sign up for the full season. A Zoom link and reminder will be sent to you on the day of the event. Almost Live events are designed for people with sight loss, but everyone is welcome.
Register here or call 604-364-5949
RESOURCES
John Cameron Mitchell, actor, playwright, screenwriter, director
Throughout the film, Hedwig refers to Aristophanes’ speech in Plato’s Symposium. This myth, retold by Hedwig in the song “The Origin of Love”, explains that human beings were once round, two-faced, four-armed, and four-legged beings. Angry gods split these early humans in two, leaving the separated people with a lifelong yearning for their other half.
Why the Origin of Love is so Meaningful
Hedwig and the Angry Inch: A Love Story that Broke Taboos
Why Hedwig and the Angry Inch Still Sings
John Cameron Mitchell Reflects on Hedwig 20 Years Later
