HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH Comes to San Jose Stage Co.

Wrapping up their 2017-18 Season "Truth & Illusion" East German rock-goddess Hedwig takes The Stage! Hedwig and her band The Angry Inch will be rocking all summer with their hit smash-hits like; "Tear Me Down", "The Origin of Love", "Sugar Daddy", & "Wig in a Box". Don't miss this outrageous and hilarious tour that transcends boundaries!

This Obie winning rock-musical tells the captivating story of Hedwig, a fourth-wall smashing genderqueer East German rock 'n' roll goddess. Backed by her punk rock band "The Angry Inch" Hedwig weaves her tragically beautiful journey; escaping East Berlin as Hansel and arriving in the Kansas trailer park as Hedwig.

We follow Hedwig as she stalks Tommy Speck's world tour. Divided between conqueror and victim Hedwig demands redress from Tommy for stealing her songs, her fame, and her love. Aided by her assistant, back-up singer and husband, Yitzhak, Hedwig tells her life story through a soaring rock score and side splitting monologues. This rockin' ride exposes the polarity in us all. "Hedwig's tale of unity and acceptance is as relevant today as it was in its inception. She reminds us that we are the difference between a bridge and a wall. Hedwig is sure to inspire anyone who has ever felt they've been given an inch when they deserved a mile." - Randall King | Artistic Director San Jose Stage Company.

John Cameron Mitchell (Playwright) is an internationally award-winning actor, director, and playwright. He was awarded an Obie Award, a "New York Magazine" Award, a Drama League Award and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical for Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Mitchell's film adaptation of Hedwig and the Angry Inch received directing and acting awards at festivals such as Sundance (Audience Award, Best Director), Berlin, Deauville, Seattle International, San Francisco International, and San Francisco's Lesbian & Gay. The film was also honored by the National Board of Review, The L.A. Film Critics Association, "Premiere Magazine" and the Golden Globes (Nomination: Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy). He has received a Drama Desk Award Nomination for his role of Dickon in the Broadway production of The Secret Garden. Off-Broadway, Mitchell received an Obie Award and a Drama Desk Award Nomination for his role of Larry Kramer in The Destiny of Me. In Lincoln Center's Hello Again, Mitchell received a Drama Desk Nomination. He also appeared in the original Broadway production of Six Degrees of Separation and as Huck Finn in the Broadway production of Big River. Mitchell adapted and directed Tennessee Williams' Kingdom of Earth for New York's Drama Dept. Theatre Company, of which he is a founding member.

Stephen Trask (Composer/Lyricist) was the original leader of the notorious Squeeze Box house band. During his time there as Music Director he performed with Debbie Harry, Lene Lovitch, Hole, Green Day, Joey Ramone, as well as New York's most popular drag queens. For five years Stephen performed with his band, Cheater, who originated the role of "The Angry Inch" Off-Broadway and performed on the original cast recording. From 1993-1998, Stephen danced with and accompanied The Corner Store Dance Company. He has scored numerous dance pieces and movies. During Hedwig's reign at the Jane Street Theatre, Stephen received an Obie Award, the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical, a 1998 "New York Magazine" Award, Drama Desk nominations for Outstanding Music, Outstanding Lyrics, and Outstanding New Musical, a Grammy Nomination for Best Cast Album, and two GLAMA Awards: Best Cast Album and Best Score for Film or Stage. He was the producer for the album for the rock band Nancy Boy, as well as the score and soundtrack album for the film version of Hedwig and the Angry Inch. He also composed the music for the New York Theatre Workshop production of Cavedweller, adapted from Dorothy Allison's novel, and works regularly in the film world supplying the original score for "Camp," "The Station Agent," and "The West Memphis Three."

Allison F. Rich is making her directorial debut with Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Allison serves as the resident musical director for the Stage as well as casting director. Her musical direction credits include Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Reefer Madness, Bonnie & Clyde, and The Addams Family. As an Associate Artist for San Jose Stage Company she was last seen as Cora in the World Premiere of The Postman Always Rings Twice, Mrs. Lovett in Sweeney Todd, May in Fool for Love, and Ma/Mayor Babs in The Toxic Avenger for which she won a TBA Award for Outstanding Female Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical. Other recent roles include Emily in Disgraced, Aimee in The Night Alive, Queenie in The Wild Party, Gretchen in Boeing Boeing, Annabella, Margaret, and Pamela in The 39 Steps, Morticia in The Addams Family (TBA Award finalist for Outstanding Female Actor in a Principal Role in a Musical), Vanda in Venus in Fur (TBA Award finalist for Outstanding Female Actor in a Principal Role in a Play and San Francisco Theatre Bay Area Critics Circle Award nomination for Best Principal Actress - Play), Lizzie in The Rainmaker, Bonnie Parker in Bonnie & Clyde, Lucy in The Threepenny Opera (TBA Award finalist for Outstanding Female Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical), Lana Sherwood in It's a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play, Mae in Reefer Madness, Elizabeth Elliot and Henrietta Musgrove in Persuasion, Elizabeth, Erica, and Female Soloist in Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, Helga in Cabaret, Carly in reasons to be pretty, and Pippi in The Great American Trailer Park Musical. Other credits include Mimi Paragon in Sail Away (TBA Award recipient for Outstanding Performance by Female Actor in a Principal Role in a Musical), Anna in New Girl in Town, Tracy Gardner in Nick and Nora, Peggy Palaffi in I Married an Angel and Iris Langston in Painting the Clouds with Sunshine at 42nd Street Moon; Ursula in The Little Mermaid at Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre; Velma Von Tussle in Hairspray at PCPA Theatrefest; Woman 1 in I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change at Oregon Cabaret Theatre; Carly in reasons to be pretty at Capital Stage Company; Lilli and Kate in Kiss Me Kate and Ulla in The Producers at Santa Rosa's Summer Repertory Theatre.

Cast Includes: Ashley Garlick Yitzhak Keith Pinto* Hedwig *Actor appears courtesy of Actors Equity Association

Creative Staff: Allison F. Rich Director Alicia Lerner Stage Manager* Katie Coleman Music Director Michael Palumbo Scenic & Lighting Design ‡ Abra Berman Costume Design Steve Schoenbeck Sound Design Ashley Garlick Wig/Makeup Design † Member of Stage Directors and Choreographers Society ‡ Member of United Scenic Artists