Broadway megahit Hedwig and the Angry Inch has announced that Tony nominee and Book of Mormon star Andrew Rannells will take over as its title character,
Entertainment Weekly reported Thursday that Rannells will replace current star Neil Patrick Harris as the transgender singer from East Berlin whose onstage persona flits from risqué to funny to poignant in the much-acclaimed revival of the John Cameron Mitchell/Stephen Trask-penned tale. The former Doogie Howser M.D. puts his wig back on the shelf on Aug. 17.
Rannells already has plenty of Broadway clout, having earned a Tony nomination as Elder Price in 2011’s Book of Mormon. But he’s probably best known at this point for his recurring role on HBO’s Girls, as the snarky gay friend/roommate/ex-boyfriend of Lena Dunham. John Cameron Mitchell, who originated the role of Hedwig, was also a recurring character on Girls.
This also won’t be Rannells’ first time occupying Hedwig’s skyscraper-high heels, EW reported. The actor previously played Hedwig in a 2001 production in Austin, Tex. the same year the movie version won the Audience Award at Sundance Film Festival. So don’t try and tear him down.
Hedwig took home Tony Awards Sunday for Best Revival of a Musical, Best Actor for Harris, and Best Featured Actress (Lena Hall).
