Entertainment
After Michael C. Hall Kills It as Hedwig, Producers Should Consider These 17 Other Actors
When word got out that Michael C. Hall would be taking over as the new Hedwig in Broadway's Hedwig And The Angry Inch, the jokes wrote themselves: Dexter would —wait for it —totally kill it. (Badumcchh.) The Dexter star might have seemed like an unlikely choice to follow in the high-heeled footsteps of Neil Patrick Harris and Girls star Andrew Rannells, but the actor is actually pretty theatrically inclined, with a solid theater resume. Who knew Dexter was a song and dance man?!
With this casting choice, it seems that one thing is pretty clear: those Hedwig producers sure know how to make some solid casting choices. They bring in the big wigs to put on, ahem, the big wigs. But once Hall kicks off his heels after his run, who should follow in his, Rannells', and NPH's footsteps? Here are some humble casting pitches — some certainly stronger and more viable than others — for actors who could potentially take over as Hedwig down the line.
Jared Leto
Far-fetched? Maybe. OK, definitely. But Leto’s got the acting chops, and he’s musically inclined! (He’d have to shave that beard, though.)
Adam Pascal
The former Rent star has a rock vibe to his voice. He’s also played the Emcee in Cabaret, a role that’s notorious for getting actors to take edgy risks.
Norbert Leo Butz
This song-and-dance man is Tony winning, and he’s already donned drag on stage for Is He Dead?. He may not be a household name, but theatergoers would flock to see Butz as Hedwig.
Tom Hiddleston
Super far fetched, but imagine the audience that he’d draw! And he can sing!
Hugh Jackman
This Tony winning actor undoubtedly has the musical theater chops, and he always charms the audience when he hosts the Tonys. It would certainly be different from anything else he’s ever done, but he could do it. And could you imagine the headlines? “Wolverine as Hedwig!”
Bradley Cooper
Maybe another farfetched one, but wouldn’t you love to see Bradley Cooper on Broadway?
Chris Colfer
Just think of the Glee star’s glorious rendition of ”Rose’s Turn” from Glee . He’d blow audiences away as Hedwig.
Darren Criss
While we’re on the topic of Glee-ers with gorgeous voices…
John Stamos
A great rule of theme? If an actor played The Emcee in Cabaret, he might very well be on the list to play Hedwig. (NPH and Michael C. Hall donned The Emcee’s suspenders on Broadway.) Stamos played The Emcee, too. Could you imagine Uncle Jesse as Hedwig?
Raul Esparza
Esparza is a Broadway stalwart, who could easily pull of playing Hedwig.
Alan Cumming
He’s currently starring on Broadway as The Emcee, so you know what that means.
Andrew Garfield
Another long shot, but the multi-talented actor can sing!
Zachary Levi
Another long shot, but Zachary Levi has a great voice, too. He won the hearts of many as an animated leading man in Tangled.
Jonathan Groff
The voice of Kristoff, a Broadway star, and former Glee actor? Sounds like credits that are just right for a Hedwig.
Ewan McGregor
He’s currently starring on Broadway in The Real Thing, and lest you forget his performance in Moulin Rouge! He may not scream “Hedwig” to producers, but he certainly has the theater chops.
James Marsden
He has the voice to star on Broadway. (Remember Enchanted? Of course you do.) Even though he’s more of a “leading man” sort of guy, he could still pull it off.
Daniel Radcliffe
While taking over a role wouldn’t permit Daniel Radcliffe to finally get that Tony nomination he deserves, taking on a role like this could get theater critics on his side a little more than they already are. Radcliffe has received critical adulation for his performances IN multiple Broadway plays (including one musical!) — Equus, The Cripple of Inishmaan , and How To Succeed in Business Without Really Trying , and he certainly has the talent to stretch and play a role like Hedwig. HMM, could Harry Potter be the next Hedwig?
