Pop Shop Podcast: Darren Criss on the 'Human Struggle' & 'Heartbreak' of 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch'

Criss -- who starred in the Broadway production of the show in 2015 -- says, “I keep telling people, ‘I’m very prepared for this [to be] the greatest role I ever get to play.’ It’s just such a good piece.”

Hedwig premiered off-Broadway in 1998, was turned into a film in 2001, and then finally made its Broadway debut in 2014. The Broadway production won four Tony Awards, including best revival of a musical.

Criss says, “There’s a human struggle there [in the show] that, at the end of the day, a lot of people can relate to, and a heartbreak that people can really feel for, and maybe even hopefully identify with.”

Hedwig set out on its first U.S. tour on Oct. 2 in San Francisco, with Criss in the title role. The show then moved to Los Angeles on Nov. 1, and tickets are available at HedwigBroadway.com. After its Los Angeles run, the show (without Criss) will continue to play through the U.S., with dates lined up through July of 2017.

Listen above and click here to subscribe/rate the Pop Shop Podcast on iTunes.