"As predicted, the powerhouse performer iOTA won best male actor in a musical for Hedwig and the Angry Inch. He beat Hugh Jackman in The Boy from Oz, Tony Sheldon in Priscilla Queen of the Desert and David Harris in Miss Saigon."
If you've been hanging around this 'hood for a while, you might recall that I saw iOTA perform as Hedwig once, twice, three times (a lady). To say he was brilliant would be selling it short. He provided me with three of the best nights I've had in a theatre.
So I'm very happy to hear that he received the Helpman Award for best male performance. I haven't seen any of the other performances, but I can't imagine anyone else holding a show on their own with that level of energy and connection with the audience. (Hedwig on stage is almost a fabulous form of hard rock monologue.) The Helpmann Award is quite prestigious in Oz, and seeks to "recognise distinguished artistic achievement and excellence in the many disciplines of Australia's vibrant live performance sectors, including musical theatre, contemporary music, comedy, opera, classical music, dance and physical theatre".
Excellence recognised, indeed!
6 comments:
Yes, I read that also. A fantastic result for a fantastic performance and production. Steve and I saw the lovely Hugh Jackman in The Boy from Oz as well. Hugh was also very good and also nominated. So great win by iOTA.
I heart Hedwig. See you for dinner on Friday.
Hugh Jackman was awesome on Boy from Oz, but he's won loads of stage statues so 'bout time it went to someone else ;-)
The initial production in Chicago was terrific, and the actor who played Hedwig was mind-blowing. He won a Joseph Jefferson Award, the Chi-town equivalent of a Tony.
The movie is great fun, but onstage it's a different animal. It's IN YOUR FACE!
Thom, it is indeed IN YOUR FACE. iOTA was excellent, and if you check out his myspace profile (I linked it in the entry) you'll see that he's a very out gay boy too. I see him often in my neighbourhood, so I think he lives nearby.
Jodie, I saw the original production with Todd McKenny, but never saw the Jackman version.
haven't seen iOTA doing this role but seen him live w band a couple of times... he is a fabulous performer! one day I'd like to see him and Jeff Duff on stage together. wow!
ps - what I mean is, I reckon they'd be an amazing match on stage. I don't even know if they've even met each other but they have a similar sort of energy, I think. intense, with fabulous voices and presence.
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