Wandering around downtown Palo Alto on a recent Wednesday evening, I make my way to the Rose & Crown, a quaint little pub nestled into a nook off Emerson Street. I see a slate board hung on its fence: "Hedwig! Tonight at 8."
Inside there's an air of anticipation among the usual assortment of customers -- some sipping one of the many varieties of libations offered, others dining on the hearty pub food and everyone eyeing the stage and band equipment set up at the far end of the interior. Rose & Crown is no stranger to performance; it has been the home of Monday night comedy for years and routinely hosts local bands, as well.
But tonight is different. The band's performance is also a musical play based on the hit cult movie, "Hedwig and the Angry Inch." The film tells the tale of Hansel/Hedwig as he/she negotiates a life of gender ambiguity and sexual exploration in search of true love. It was a huge underground hit and still plays occasionally in late-night alternative venues. Having enjoyed the movie, I was curious to see how it translated into a stage performance, especially one mounted in a pub.
Just after 8 p.m., most of the band took their positions, and the pub crowd pressed forward, eager for Hedwig's appearance. Waiting just long enough, she (Hedwig) finally arrived with much fanfare -- and was no disappointment. Dressed in an outrageous disco-inspired outfit, tall black platform boots, a fake fur jacket and blonde bombshell wig, she was a surprising vision of transvestitism, clearly a man dressed as a woman -- but what a woman!
After a narrative preamble to establish the premise of the show and introduce us to her life history, Hedwig and the band (The Angry Inch) launched into a rousing rock number, quickly dispelling any doubts as to whether or not this was a real band. Then, for a little over an hour, the audience was drawn into her story, her song and the new dramatic chapter taking shape in her rather exceptional life.
To say that local theater artist Jim Gunn portrays Hedwig would be a massive understatement. Gunn is so completely committed to the persona that his performance is seamless, a tour de force that is pure phenomenon. Gunn takes the stage by storm, taking command of the pub as if it's personal space, giving us an amazingly honest character and never once playing it for laughs.
That's not to say there aren't plenty of laughs, both in the script and in the ad-libs. Gunn's experience as a stand-up comedian comes in quite handy here, allowing him to take advantage of the opportunity to interact with the pub crowd. But he's always Hedwig -- never Gunn -- maintaining an extraordinary degree of believability with an outrageously flamboyant character. It would be easy for him to take this larger-than-life character over the top, but he doesn't and his portrayal is fearless.
The band is solid, both as musical and theatrical back-up. Keite Davis, who frequents local stages mostly as musical ingenues, returns to her rock-band roots by playing Yitzhak, Hedwig's current paramour and harmony vocalist. Scott Healy on drums, Ian Nansen on lead guitar, Erica Watson on bass and Jonathan Erman on keyboard all sound like they've been playing together for much longer than a few weeks. They're strong musicians who also conspire in the theatrical aspect of the piece.
Make no mistake -- this is a rock show that is also theater, but it's loud and raucous and explicit. Don't go if you're looking for a conventional theater experience. But if you enjoy rock and something out of the ordinary -- and aren't shy about sexuality -- give "Hedwig" an hour of your time. It's a rare astonishing performance in our midst.
What: "Hedwig and the Angry Inch"
Where: Rose and Crown, 547 Emerson St. in Palo Alto.
When: April 6 and 13 at 8 p.m.
Cost: Admission is free, but donations are encouraged.
Info: Please call (650) 327-ROSE
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