Hold on to your wigs and high heels. Taye Diggs is set to play the title role in Hedwig and the Angry Inch.
After weeks of subtle hints, it’s been formally announced that Taye Diggs will be stepping into Hedwig’s heels after Darren Criss’ finishes his run as everyone’s favorite international song stylist.
The man who helped Stella get her groove back will be seen performing at Broadway’s Belasco Theater starting July 22. It will be a 12-week engagement and Diggs will be performing alongside Rebecca Naomi Jones, who’s set to continue portraying Yitzhak.
“Taye is fantastic—he has theater cred, he has pop culture cred, he can sing, he can act, he can dance, he’s smart and he’s sexy,” lead producer David Binder explains Diggs’ casting.
Well, he certainly has that and more.
Taye Diggs is going to be the next Hedwig http://t.co/Wj9LiISQyS pic.twitter.com/TYG9htbywN
— The New York Times (@nytimes) May 19, 2015
Diggs’ was part of the original cast of Rent. He has also appeared in Chicago, Carousel, off-Broadway’s The Wild Party and briefly played Fiyero in Wicked opposite then-wife Idina Menzel.
The 44-year-old thespian also counts Brown Sugar, How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Private Practice and The Best Man among his acting credentials.
Diggs’ performance in Hedwig is quite relevant as he’ll be the first African-American actor to play the character on Broadway, a fitting match to co-star Jones who’s also the first black Yitzhak.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch revolves around Hedwig, an East German musician who undergoes a sex changed operation. Unfortunately, the failed operation prompted him to move to Kansas and assume a female persona.
Neil Patrick Harris starred in the first Broadway production of Hedwig in 2014 and introduced the play to a brand new generation. His Tony award-winning performance was continued by Andrew Rannells, Michael C. Hall and Darren Criss.
NPH talks to @billboard about @TheGRAMMYs, @stephentrask & #HedwigOnBway @ActuallyNPH http://t.co/uM9J4YBvlx pic.twitter.com/2NiFFo9TZu
— Hedwig on Broadway (@HedwigOnBway) January 13, 2015
And with Taye Diggs taking over soon, Hedwig’s glitter covered heels will undoubtedly dance their way to a lot more hearts.
