The Scene Podcast
An Interview with John Cameron Mitchell (Hedwig and the Angry Inch)
Episode Summary
On this season finale episode of The Scene Podcast, host Justin Borak welcomes writer, director, actor, and theatre-maker John Cameron Mitchell, the co-creator of the cult musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch, who also wrote, directed, and starred in its film adaptation. Justin and John talk about making original work that refuses to play it safe, building a creative life across theatre and film, and what it means to protect your weird, specific voice long enough for it to become the thing audiences did not realize they needed. It is an energizing, big-picture conversation for anyone teaching, studying, producing, or writing theatre right now, especially if you are trying to make something brave on a real-world timeline.
Episode Notes
- Guest: John Cameron Mitchell
- Writer of Hedwig and the Angry Inch
- Director of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Shortbus, Rabbit Hole, How to Talk to Girls at Parties
- Appeared as an Actor in Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Shortbus, The Twilight Zone, Head of the Class, Law & Order, Girls, The Good Fight, Yellowjackets, Shrill, and many others.
- John Cameron Mitchell Bio: John Cameron Mitchell’s Hedwig and the Angry Inch, written with Stephen Trask, made its debut on the stage of Squeezebox, a New York City rock ‘n’ roll drag bar. The show then premiered Off-Broadway, receiving rave reviews. He was awarded an Obie Award, a “New York Magazine” Award, a Drama League Award and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Off-Broadway Musical. John’s film adaptation of Hedwig and the Angry Inch received directing and acting awards at festivals such as Sundance (Audience Award, Best Director), Berlin, Deauville, Seattle International, San Francisco International, and San Francisco’s Lesbian & Gay. The film was also honored by the National Board of Review, The L.A. Film Critics Association, “Premiere Magazine” and the Golden Globes (Nomination: Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy). He has received a Drama Desk Award Nomination for his role of Dickon in the Broadway production of The Secret Garden. Off-Broadway, Mitchell received an Obie Award and a Drama Desk Award Nomination for his role of Larry Kramer in The Destiny of Me. In Lincoln Center’s Hello Again, Mitchell received a Drama Desk Nomination. He also appeared in the original Broadway production of Six Degrees of Separation and as Huck Finn in the Broadway production of Big River. Mitchell adapted and directed Tennessee Williams’ Kingdom of Earth for New York’s Drama Dept. Theatre Company, of which he is a founding member.
The Scene Team
Links
Special Thanks
- Jennifer Isaacson
- Lauren Kardos
- Jeffery Keilholtz
Show Contributors
- Leah Barker
- Justin Borak
- Jim Colleran
- Zach Dulli
- KJ Lampar
- John Cameron Mitchell