Michgleefan

I apologize that this is so long but here is my Hedwig experience...

When I first heard that Darren Criss was going back to Broadway to appear in “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” I thought this is it! It is finally time to take that trip to New York that I always wanted while simultaneously seeing a Broadway show starring one of my favorites. As quickly as tickets went on sale, I picked the date and ordered my tickets. I got tickets 4th row center orchestra, on the aisle. Sounded perfect. I surprised my wife with them as an early 25th anniversary present that would also serve as a mother’s day, father’s day, early birthday present for both of us. The best part, no kids allowed.

When it was time to pack for the trip I made sure to include one of my University of Michigan polo shirts so that I could show support for a fellow alum while also enjoying the show. Turned out to be a great decision.

While waiting for July 8th to arrive, I was careful not to listen to any audio clips or watch any bootleg video so that I could just experience the show as it happened. I read the synopsis just to re-familiarize myself with the story and listened to the NPH soundtrack so I’d be familiar with the songs. 

Upon arrival to NY and the hotel, one of the first things I wanted to check out was the location of the Belasco Theater. We ate a nice dinner at a place called the Times Square Diner and Grill (a place so good, we visited it a few times) and then we walked to the theater. I was pleased to see how close of a walk it was from the Mayfair Hotel (located almost next door to the Eugene O’Neill Theater and adjacent to the Ambassador) I also loved seeing all the lights of the various theaters as we walked. While walking to the theater we also passed through Times Square which just seemed magical to me. My first night in NYC was great. 

The next day was July 8th, the day of the show. We spent the day touring NY on the Big Bus Tour, one of the hop on/hop off tours of the city. I told my wife I wanted to be sure we were done early because I did not want to be late to the show. I wanted to be there in plenty of time. We ate dinner at the restaurant connected to the hotel, then changed and went to the Belasco. I made sure to wear my Michigan polo.

There was a line when we got to the theater but I didn’t mind since we were early and we already had those great tickets. I was very excited. The usher showed us to our seats and I couldn’t believe what great seats they really were. Before the show started the ushers repeatedly came over to tell people that they had to shut off their cell phones during the show and no pictures allowed. This surprised me since I knew there were so many pictures on the Internet but it didn’t matter to me. There as no way I was going to watch any part of this show through an LED screen. 

When the show finally started I couldn’t wait to see Darren Criss. I was not disappointed. His entrance was really breath taking and from the minute he opened his mouth I was in awe of this guy’s talent. There was no sign of Blaine Anderson or Darren Criss in Hedwig. His talent just blew me away. I was so engrossed in his performance that I couldn’t take my eyes off him even though there was so much talent surrounding him. He was hilarious and heartbreaking. The musical performances were so raw and full of energy. 

Then came the big moment. I was watching his performance of “Sugar Daddy” and thinking how dangerous it looked as he was climbing up and down the sides of the stage. Well, he climbed down safely and then began his descent into the audience. He was on our side of the aisle and I thought we were going to get a really good look at him as he got closer. However, to my surprise, he came over to where I was sitting and climbed up on my chair, resting those big gold boots on the arms of the my chair. Everything was right there in my face! I laughed and wasn’t sure what to do or where to look. I did look around to see the faces of those around me, laughing and enjoying their view. As he climbed down and headed back to the front of the audience he said something about the U of Michigan but I didn’t catch it. I was too stunned. However, I realized that he had seen my shirt from the stage and that was how he happened to pick me. At the end of the show he also looked for me from the stage, pointed to me and gave me a thank you (along with all the other audience participants).

After the show (which was just spectacular) we took our time and stopped for a bathroom break as I knew we had at least an hour and a 1/2 wait before Darren Criss would come out. There was a huge crowd waiting outside when we got there, as I knew there would be. We went to the outer edge of the crowd and to the back to wait our turn. Most people were pretty nice and the conversation was good. A couple men talked to me about Michigan’s new football coach and about the state of education in Wisconsin. Another woman came over to talk to me about how lucky I was, that I had been “carwashed”. She also brought her friends over to talk to me about it. 

Finally Darren Criss came out. He gave his speech about not having enough time for selfies and was just so gracious. I couldn’t get very good pics (as evidenced above) but I was just anxious to meet him. When he finally got to me I was a little concerned because I was still in the back. However my wife (who was more in the front) took care of that by telling him that her husband was the guy whose chair he had danced on. He asked if I was there and I waved to him. He reached through the crowd and shook my hand, pulling me a little bit forward. He then said he was hoping I was going to be there as he wanted to meet me. He then asked me if I went to Michigan or was I just being nice. I assured him I was an alum. He told me he was worried I wasn’t going to let him up on my chair as both my arms were on the rests. At this point another woman, who he had already talked to, interrupted him because she had one more question. I thought this was really rude since he only had a little time to talk to each person and she was in my time, but he handled it with the class as he seems to do most things. He answered her question but still seemed to focus on us and then just continued with us. He asked my wife and I our names and if we had met at Michigan. We told him that we met in Wisconsin and how we were there celebrating our 25th anniversary which he said was so cool. Then he thanked us for coming and gave us a “go blue” and moved on to the next person. There was so much more I wish I had time to say but we let him go and then we just left so that others could enjoy their moments.

I am a teacher and we have a transgendered student at our school. I will refer to this student using masculine pronouns because he still identifies as male but that is changing. He is currently going though names to decide what his new name will be. If I did not know he was male I would have assumed he was female. The way he dresses is as a girl as is the way he wears his hair. His brother told me that the student has known he was a girl since he was 4 years old. The student in question is 6.

His parents have been great with him and very supportive. His favorite story is a book about a transgendered child that his parents read to him at night. He’s asked his mother is there anything they can do for him and she has told him not yet but they would be able to correct the situation when he is older. While his older brother (who is 8) says it doesn’t bother him and he loves his brother as he is, he also worries that in the future the student will be bullied or hurt because of the way he acts. At this point that hasn’t happened. The other kids accept him as he is. He has many friends and is seen as just another student in our school community.

I must admit, though, I worry for him. It makes me sad to think of the rough road he has ahead of him. I wonder why all students/people can’t be the way these young elementary students are and see beyond the exterior. He seems to have a strong support network at home and maybe this will help him survive whatever challenges lie ahead.

As Glee followers, you all are the type of support this child and children of the future will need. You look beyond the ideal that people set as “normal” and accept people for who they are. I hope you are able to raise your own children some day in your image so that they can continue to preach the message of acceptance. While, as a country, we seem to be moving forward with our message I hate that in so many other ways we are moving backwards. I am concerned that this backward movement will hurt the people that others view as not normal. Please, even though the series Glee is over, its message of acceptance lives on. I hope you continue to preach that message and fight for the equality and acceptance that all people deserve.