Put on some makeup and turn on your eight-track – it’s time to experience the original Hedwig! Tony Award-winning actor/director/writer John Cameron Mitchell brings his new show, The Origin of Love to Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane as part of his first Australia tour.
In a highly-anticipated, one-off performance, Mitchell will channel his glam-rock icon, Hedwig, to perform much-loved rock ballads and share stories from the groundbreaking musical’s 20-year history. He’ll also preview songs from his upcoming musical podcast, Anthem.
Initially conceived and created by Mitchell as a drag show at the notorious New York City club Squeezebox, Hedwig and the Angry Inch gradually evolved into a fully-fledged Broadway production and, a year later, an off-Broadway hit playing globally to rave reviews and amassing a cult following.
In 2001, Mitchell co-wrote, directed and starred in the film adaptation for which he received the Sundance Film Festival Best Director Award and a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor. His Broadway production of Hedwig garnered him a 2014 Tony Award for Best Revival of Musical and a Special Tony Award for his return to the role in 2015.
“At last! My journey to Oz, long-deferred by silly obstacles like unemployment and airfare, is a reality!” said Mitchell. “I shall strap on a Cubist corset and chromium wig, regale you with haphazard stories from 55 years of fake rock stardom and wail your favorite Hedwig songs like some kind of wonder woman within. Please prepare for my imminent arrival”
John Cameron Mitchell’s seriously impressive depth of work includes the improv-based film Shortbus (2006), 2010’s Rabbit Hole starring Nicole Kidman, and executive produced Jonathan Caouette’s Tarnation (2004). His early work includes: Big River, The Secret Garden, and Hello Again!
Mitchell appeared in the original cast of John Guare’s Six Degrees of Separation (both off-Broadway and on Broadway), and starred in Larry Kramer’s Off Broadway sequel to The Normal Heart, The Destiny of Me, for which he received an Obie Award and a Drama Desk nomination.
He has played recurring roles in HBO’s Girls, Martin Scorsese’s HBO series Vinyl, The Good Fight and the current season of Mozart in the Jungle. This northern spring will bring the release of his film adaptation of Neil Gaiman’s punk-era How to Talk to Girls at Parties starring Elle Fanning and Nicole Kidman.
“Mitchell’s extraordinary performance … brings a darker edge to the role he created 20 years ago.” – The Guardian
The Origin of Love: The Songs & Stories of Hedwig
Festival Theatre – Adelaide Festival Centre, King William Road, Adelaide
Performance: Friday 22 June 2018
Information and Bookings: www.adelaidefestivalcentre.com.au
Concert Hall – Sydney Opera House, Bennelong Point
Performance: Friday 6 July 2018
Information and Bookings: www.sydneyoperahouse.com
Hamer Hall – Arts Centre Melbourne, 100 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne
Performance: Tuesday 10 July 2018
Information and Bookings: www.artscentremelbourne.com.au
Concert Hall – Queensland Performing Arts Centre, South Bank
Performance: Tuesday 17 July 2018
Information and Bookings: www.qpac.com.au
Image: John Cameron Mitchell – photo by Matthew Placek