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'Hedwig' entertains
By Paul Solsrud
 Media Credit: Ryan Henry �Hedwig,� played by Dennis Whipple, performs a song from the rock musical �Hedwig and the Angry Inch,� sponsored by diversity events educating people, Friday night at the G.R.E.A.T. Playhouse in downtown St. Cloud.
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The G.R.E.A.T. Playhouse was home to the semi-controversial rock opera "Hedwig and the Angry Inch" Friday and Saturday night. The show, put on by the actors of the G.R.E.A.T. Playhouse and sponsored by DEEP, is an adaptation of the off-Broadway rock theatre hit, which is a story of an "internationally ignored" rock singer, who in the search for stardom and love, finds many strange situations. The play invoked a myriad of feelings for the actors and audience alike.
The show was well received at the G.R.E.A.T. Playhouse. The venue is a place for the community as well as actors to gain education in the field of acting. It is normally considered a venue for children's plays, however, the Playhouse hopes to break into new areas with this somewhat risqu� play. They simply felt this type of play needed to be done, and it was a good way to see if the community would like to see more plays such as this.
"It's kind of like stepping into the pool, is it warm or cold, you need to find out," said Kristine Hollingsworth, the actress who played Yitzak and G.R.E.A.T. member.
"The theme is mature here, and if you're going to be offended you're going to be offended," Hollingsworth said. "It's an adult theme, and we were a little apprehensive (about having this adult-themed play at a playhouse that normally does children's plays), but it was very rewarding."
The G.R.E.A.T. actors were one of the first non-professional groups in the country to put on the musical. When asked if the group was considering adding additional shows, lead actor and G.R.E.A.T. Playhouse member Dennis Whipple said, "If the reaction is the way we hope it is, and so far it has been, we may add additional shows (and more shows of this nature)."
The goal of bringing this type of show to the St. Cloud area was to enlighten the community and add diverse entertainment to this diverse community. "Hopefully you can touch people, even if they are apprehensive," Whipple said. "The music is the highlight of the show."
The musical, by John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask tells the story of a rock singer, who, in search for stardom and love, reluctantly submits to a sex change in order to marry an American G.I. and get over the Berlin Wall to freedom. Finding herself divorced in a Kansas trailer park, she attempts to form a rock band, which eventually fails when her new lover steals her songs. She continues to pursue her dreams and eventually discovers the origin of love.
Sponsored and marketed by DEEP (diversity events educating people), the musical fit well with the goals of both DEEP and the G.R.E.A.T. Playhouse. DEEP attempts to diversify arts in the St. Cloud area by helping artists network and learn more about art in general. They attempt to reach a wide range of audiences by bringing new and interesting shows.
"We try to open up all genres and bring diverse events to St. Cloud," said DEEP Executive Director Barry Braun.
When asked how DEEP was received by the community, Braun said the momentum "is really picking up," and hopes to bring even more events to the St. Cloud area.
The quaint Playhouse contained about 50 viewers, many of whom got into the show by standing and applauding for lengthy periods. Few were openly offended or negatively impacted by the play's topics. Most seemed to be taken in by the quick paced and always changing scenes, intertwined with lights as well as music from a live band
"I think it's admirable to bring this type of production to the area because we are diverse and appreciate all aspects of art," DEEP member Anne Walters said.
Showing March 28 and 29 tickets $10 general public; $5 students.
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