a&e features

John Cameron Mitchell revives Hedwig in new show

‘The Origin of Love’ plays D.C.’s National Theatre Feb. 8

Published

8 years ago

January 31, 2019

John Cameron Mitchell, gay news, Washington Blade — **John Cameron Mitchell** in full-on Hedwig drag. (Photo by Mick Rock)

‘The Origin of Love’
Feb. 8
National Theatre
1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20004
$54-79
202-628-6161
thenationaldc.org

**John Cameron Mitchell** out of drag. (Photo by Matthew Placek)

John Cameron Mitchell, as one would expect, has spent many years thinking about his most iconic character.

“She isn’t easy to peg. But who is, ultimately,” he says.

The she to whom Mitchell refers is the hilariously bewigged, “internationally ignored song stylist” and title character of “Hedwig and the Angry Inch.” It’s a subject the out actor/writer/director knows well. Mitchell, who co-created the glam rock musical, was also the first actor to play Hedwig when it debuted Off-Broadway a hard-to-believe 21 years ago.

For the uninitiated, here’s the story.Pressured by her American G.I. boyfriend to undergo sexual reassignment surgery, East Berlin “girly boy” Hansel reluctantly complies. The operation is botched leaving Hansel, newly christened Hedwig, with one inch where there’d been six. Still the couple marries and moves to Kansas. After Luther leaves her for a man, Hedwig glamorizes her look, works on her music and transforms her new, confused love interest into rock star Tommy Gnosis. He finds fame while an again-abandoned Hedwig plays dives in the shadow of Tommy’s sold-out stadium gigs.

“Because Hansel was coerced, I can’t really call Hedwig transsexual,” Mitchell says. “Her surgery is a sort of a mutilation by the patriarchy or binarchy. Still, people love labels in America because it confers status and value. And it’s especially true when you’re young because you need to come out and say what you are. Gay, bisexual, trans? You can never get that specific to what you really are other than calling yourself your name. No pronoun really works except for I.”

With his new show “The Origin of Love,” soon making its American premiere with a one off on Friday, Feb. 8 at D.C.’s National Theatre, Mitchell revisits “Hedwig,” the music and the history.

“Part cabaret and part musical, it’s a grab bag really,” he says. “You’re getting the story of the making of a musical. Emotionally, autobiographically and philosophically, you’ll see how it changed the maker. And it’s fun.”

Mitchell sports the trademark wig and a fabulous geometric dress he’s dubbed “the transformer” because it changes into a half dozen different costumes. He’ll sing the David Bowie/Lou Reed-inspired songs scored by “Hedwig” co-creator Stephen Trask. Also, Mitchell plans to preview songs from his upcoming musical podcast “Anthem,” a sort of autobiographical fiction about what his life might have been like if he had spent his entire life in a small town. (In addition to Mitchell, the six hour-long, 10-episode podcast slated to be available in May, features a roster of show biz heavyweights including Glenn Close, Patti LuPone and Cynthia Eviro.)

And he’ll tell tales too. Including those that unfolded in the ’90s at Squeezebox, the downtown New York drag/rock and roll party, where Mitchell and Trask developed the Hedwig character and her story before an appreciative yet discerning audience.

So far, Mitchell has performed “The Origin of Love” in Australia (where he crowd-surfed in the Sydney Opera House) and Korea (with simultaneous translation), attracting die-hard Hedwig fans known as “Hedheads” as well as the newly acquainted.

“The Hedwig club is not exclusive. The borders are porous. Everyone is welcome,” Mitchell says. “It’s like the military in that way. No one cares where you come from as long as you do your job. That’s why banning transgender people from the armed forces is so wrong. Any military brat knows that it’s both wrong and inefficient. But doing the right thing is always better and makes getting the job done easier. If you don’t treat people well the work isn’t as good. My dad taught me that.”

A self-described army brat, Mitchell moved around a lot growing up. He lived throughout America and parts of Europe. For a time, his late father, a Washington native and career officer who held the rank of Army Major General, was in charge of all U.S. military forces in West Germany. He stood behind Ronald Reagan in 1987 when he said, “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

“My dad wanted me to be in the military, no kidding,” Mitchell says. “Instead, I wore a yellow wig and directed the film version of ‘Hedwig’ in Toronto. So, I did take over my dad’s job in a way. I became a different kind of general but I used the same skills. Making everyone feel welcome and valued.”

Both of Mitchell’s parents were proud of his Hedwig success. But being politically conservative and Catholics prevented them from really talking about it.

“My mom called it vulgar but understood the show shed a good light on things and had a positive effect,” he says. “And they were at the Sundance Film Festival when the film premiered in 2001.”

Recently deceased Broadway legend Carol Channing, another performer who wore a big blonde wig, was best known for one role: Dolly Levy. She considered the part a true gift and played it for decades. While Mitchell isn’t wed to the role, he is Hedwig first.

“It’s definitely something to be proud of,” he says pondering the comparison. “But I’m sure at one mid-career point, Channing must have wished that the ‘Hello, Dolly!’ parade would pass her by already.”

Mitchell has done lots more. His wide-ranging vitae lists writing/directing “Shortbus,” an independent film in which people have real sex; directing “Rabbit Hole,” a film starring Nicole Kidman as a mother whose young son dies unexpectedly, a project Mitchell took on in memory of his own little brother who died young; and memorably playing an ill-fated ebook editor in the sorely missed HBO series “Girls.”

Still boyish looking at 55, Cameron is comfortable with aging.

“When you hit your 50s, you become more accepting about so many things. Also, you get older, you forget was sexuality or even gender our friends are. We thing, ‘Oh, I forget you were gay or straight.’ If it’s somebody you’re fucking it will matter, but otherwise who cares?”

“But obviously,” he continues, “when you’re coming out of those stressful times called childhood, and cultures and neighborhoods where you’re considered a freak, you need to empower yourself with gender and pronouns and drag armor. That’s just a part of life. Straight people do it too.”

In the end, Hedwig rejects the wig.

“Something is forced upon her and she makes something pretty out it. And then she lets go of drag when she doesn’t need it anymore. Hedwig is a beautiful gender of one.”

While it garners attention and often awards, playing Hedwig is challenging.

“For many actors who tackle the role, it’s the hardest thing they will ever do,” says Mitchell who played her for a year. “It’s a rite of passage that plumbs the soul and changes them.”

The list of actors is long and thrillingly varied. It includes, among many others, Michael Cerveris, Lena Hall, Darren Criss, Taye Diggs, Michael C. Hall, Ally Sheedy, Euan Morton, “RuPaul’s Drag Race” winner Jinkx Monsoon, and notably Neil Patrick Harris who nabbed a Tony Award for his turn as Hedwig in the 2014 Broadway revival.

“Hedwig doesn’t speak for anyone but herself and that why I think people relate to her,” Mitchell says. “Her tribe is anyone who feels they don’t belong. Despite her specifics — drag humor, rock and roll history and Germanness — she’s someone we all know if we’re willing to look deep enough.”

**John Cameron Mitchell** (Photo by Matthew Placek)

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a&e features

Rainbows in Revolt on a mission to make LGBTQ artists’ voices heard

Published

4 days ago

July 29, 2026

Kyle Rood

Lily Erin, one of Rainbows in Revolt’s signature artists, performed at Capital Pride in June. (Photo courtesy of Rainbows in Revolt)

Last month’s Pride celebration in D.C. was so fun. Walking around my first Capital Pride with a $15 lemonade I was loving the madness and the color. Artists and small businesses battling banks you’ve never heard of collecting your personal information so you can spin a wheel to snag free merch. Great music blaring, people actually smiling and enjoying themselves, the “Great” American State Fair could never!

The Monument Stage was on Pennsylvania Avenue, directly in front of the National Gallery of Art and I can’t think of a better venue to see live music. How does someone get on the lineup for Pride? How do we accelerate the visibility of the most talented voices in our community to perform in places like this?

There is certainly not a talent gap, but there is a visibility gap. Chappell Roan went from playing for two people in a parking lot to owning the main stage at Coachella in one year. Whether it is shadowbanning or bias in AI, algorithms have been shown to suppress queer artists. In a digital age, how can queer people break through and show the world how talented they are?

Allison and Matt of Rainbows in Revolt are on a mission to make openly LGBTQ+ artists’ voices heard. Their goal is to find “musicians whose queerness is central to their identity as an artist,” and accelerate them to a place where they can actually reach fans.

The only time queer events seem to be in the spotlight is June, but this should be year round, according to Allison and Matt. Rainbows in Revolt wants to act as a “nucleus” for different sub-communities, finding common ground in the universal language of music.

Matt and Allison founded Rainbows as a way to make cheaper, higher quality merchandise for queer artists. While Rainbows has already pledged 20% of their profits to the LGBTQ+ community, with 10% to Whitman-Walker Health and 10% to LGBTQ+ organizations in need, this is just the beginning of the work that they do.

Rainbows “does the dirty work” that artists normally struggle to do on their own with limited resources. Interviews, artist profiles, social promotion, playlist discovery, radio outreach, and merch-funded support. This work is normally expensive, time consuming, and requires lots of different skills. Musicians don’t want to be editing clips to post online. Standup comedians don’t want to make graphics for their tour dates. They want to write more. They want to focus on their craft.

In addition to helping artists find their audience, Rainbows has built other digital tools to help queer people connect, including an interactive Safe Space Map for most major cities. It is hard to know which places are truly safe and supportive just from a simple Google search. Attitudes and actions change, and there should be a simple way for queer people to find other places that align with them. The Safe Spaces Maps are all up to date, and are tagged and filterable. Instead of relying on forums and word of mouth, Rainbows has created a centralized way to find authentic community quickly.

I had a chance to talk with Allison and Matt at Pride where Lily Erin, one of their signature artists, was performing on the Monument stage. Lily Erin is a folk singer who is familiar and forging her own path. Her bittersweet sound echoes through Acadia, and her garb mirrors the New England athletes I grew up with. Gorp Core meets streetwear. A graphic tee, hiking shorts, and creamsicle Jordans.

Her debut single, “Bus Stop,” tells a sad story about unconditional love, and the conditions that still seem to come with it. Graduating into lockdown, Erin needed a new way to connect with herself and others. Lily made “Bus Stop” without an intention to share it, but doing so was a liberation. People have been responding to her honesty around queer-ness, family, and the “ghosts which haunt us” even in the daytime.

Rainbows in Revolt has helped Lily Erin go from bars and backyards to The Monument Stage at Pride. This is a meteoric rise, and a testament to both Erin’s talent and the work of Rainbows to promote her. “A little encouragement goes a long way with early artists,” and by “planting a seed” Rainbows is already seeing their artist garden grow. Community is power, and Erin is a perfect example of how effective simple modern techniques of promotion can be.

A next step for Rainbows is putting on shows themselves. On Oct. 3, Rainbows in Revolt will host an Evening with Ray Boltz at the National City Christian Church. Boltz grew up in the Catholic Church and for many years was the soundtrack to many services, youth camps, and church groups. He was celebrated by millions until he came out in 2008. Allison remembers her community “never playing his music again.”

Rainbows in Revolt is helping him to return to the church, and proving that identity does not need to be exclusive. We live in a complicated world with complicated lines being drawn. Boltz proves that these lines don’t exist, and will be breaking down barriers to bring together communities. To Allison, “a trans woman standing next to a straight white man in church is a powerful teacher.”

The Safe Space maps bridge all types of spaces, and one of the unlikely ones is, perhaps, churches. Matt said that “BYU has only nine safe spaces around their campus and seven of them are churches.” Not all churches are anti-gay, and many times they are the only place for people to find community.

Rainbows in Revolt is just getting started bridging gaps and building community.

a&e features

Summer in the City: Free exhibits, movies, more fill D.C.’s calendar

America 250 celebrations continue

Published

1 week ago

July 26, 2026

Emma LaPointe

Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande star in ‘Wicked,’ screening Sept. 12 at Union Market. (Photo courtesy of Universal Pictures)

From late-night museum visits and outdoor jazz concerts to free movie screenings and America250 exhibitions, Washington’s summer calendar is packed with events that don’t charge admission. Here’s a look at some of the free activities happening across the District through September and beyond.

Museum exhibitions

The Renwick Gallery is presenting State Fairs: Growing American Craft, an exhibition that looks at unique and unconventional crafts from the 19th century to the present. It will run until Sept. 7, and admission is free.

The Arts and Industries Building, located next to the Smithsonian Castle, is presenting the exhibition Voices and Votes: Exploring Democracy Across America. The exhibition features the development of American independence and what that has meant over time, beginning with the Revolutionary War. Admission to the museum is free, and the exhibition runs until Sept. 7.

The National Gallery of Art presents Dear America, an exhibit featuring more than 100 pieces of work, including letters, photographs, and drawings that depict American landscapes and depictions of freedom. The exhibition will run until Sept. 20.

The National Museum of Women in the Arts is exhibiting Burnished: Pueblo Pottery until Sept. 27. The exhibit features pottery from the Southwest, and while most of the pottery belongs to women artists, a few also reflect those who have advocated for women.

Extending past this summer, the exhibition ¡Puro Ritmo! The Musical Journey of Salsa will be at the National Museum of the American Latino until July 2028. The exhibition shows how Afro-Cuban music has become a staple in the U.S. Admission is free.

The Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library will feature the exhibition District Vibes / American Pride: How DC Changed American Culture, which will highlight all of the ways D.C. has impacted American life. The exhibit will run until Sept. 27.

At the Folger Shakespeare Library, the exhibit Imagining Shakespeare: Mythmaking and Storytelling in the Regency Era will be on view through Aug. 2. All the portraits on display come from the Boydell Shakespeare Gallery in London.

The United States Botanic Garden will be open until 8 p.m. on Aug. 20 and Sept. 17, as part of America’s State Flowers: An America250 Celebration. The evenings will include live music, mocktails, ice cream, and snacks.

The National Gallery of Art Sculpture Garden will have extended hours, staying open until 8 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday until Sept. 3.

Live performances

On Aug. 7, the postgame Nationals concert series will continue with Jordan Davis performing. To see the concert, guests just need to buy tickets to the Nationals game.

Jazz in the Garden will run each Friday until Aug. 14. The event has free admission, but those interested have to enter a lottery due to the high demand for the event.

From May to October, Capital Harvest Market occurs every Wednesday from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. at the Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center. The market features fresh foods, crafts, and recipes for unique dishes. A full list of vendors is available on Capital Harvest’s website.

Live! Concert Series on the Plaza will feature live performances at Woodrow Wilson Plaza until Sept. 25. The performances run Monday to Friday from 12-1 p.m. Admission is free to the performances.

DowntownDC Live! at Anthem Row is running until July 30, with free performances every Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The final performance will feature HUE and a vintage flea market hosted by Get Flee Marketplace.

Located in Adams Morgan, AdMo Vibe will present live performances every Thursday at 6 p.m. in Kalorama Park. Guests are encouraged to check out Adams Morgan before and after shows, and it is an event for all ages.

Other events

Union Market is hosting drive-in movies on Aug. 8, featuring “Monsters, Inc.”, and Sept. 12, featuring “Wicked.” On Aug. 8, the parking lot will open at 7:30 p.m., with the movie starting at 8:25 p.m. On Sept. 12, the parking lot will open at 6:35 p.m., and the movie will start at 7:30 p.m.

Sunset Cinema at the Wharf will also be available one day a month. On Aug. 12, “10 Things I Hate About You” will premiere, and on Aug. 26, “Project Hail Mary.” No tickets are necessary.

The Library of Congress will also show movies. On Aug. 6, guests are invited to watch “Apollo 13.” The movie will be shown at 8 p.m., with additional live performances beginning at 7 p.m.

For fans of Asian media, the Okaton convention will be at Walter E. Washington Convention Center from July 31-Aug. 2. Festivities will include cosplay contests, skits, live music, and panel discussions.

Washington Spirit’s season also begins in August. The Spirit is Washington’s National Women’s League, with matchups occurring between the San Diego Wave, the North Carolina Courage, the Orlando Pride, and the Bay FC.

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Summer in D.C. brings sports, Restaurant Week, festivals, and more

Published

1 week ago

July 23, 2026

Evan Caplan

Washington Spirit CEO Kim Stone hosts Pride Night OUT on Sunday, Aug. 23. (Photo courtesy of Washington Spirit)

Summer in D.C. just hits different. Congress is out, school is out, the sun is out, thighs are out. With the skies clearing from Canadian smoke, here are a few ways to stay entertained.

Dining

Summer restaurant week: The Restaurant Association of Metropolitan Washington (RAMW) is once again hosting Summer Restaurant Week, Aug. 18-24. This weeklong dining experience showcases the dynamic dining scene of the DMV, including 2026 RAMMY Award-winning favorites (the annual D.C. food awards show that took place June 29). Participating restaurants will offer three-course brunch and lunch selections for $25 or $35 per person, and three-course dinners for $40, $55 and $65 per person.

New Restaurants: A handful of new spots have opened, so the summer is a great time to check them out:

Oribu: A new Mediterranean-Japanese restaurant in the Grand Hyatt hotel, which just underwent a remodeling effort. The sleek restaurant brings upscale charm, with dishes like Wagyu beef tartare with potato pavé and caviar.
The Oak Room: A snazzy old-school American grill has just opened in Georgetown, alongside its sister upstairs supper club (Bernadette’s) restaurant, in the old El Centro space.
Uchi: This showy Japanese sushi-forward chain has landed in Dupont with a chef’s tasting menu of favorites like fatty tuna.
Kathmandu: Recalling the capital of Nepal, this warm, buzzy subterranean restaurant right in the heart of U Street brings spice, flair, and rare ingredients to its dishes (see: buffalo burgers) and drinks.

Sports

Washington Spirit Pride Night OUT: On Sunday, Aug. 23, head to Audi Field for a massive, high-energy game following the exciting month of World Cup. The designated Pride Night OUT game promises boisterous crowds plus pre- and post-game community engagements.
Washington Tennis Open – Now called the Mubadala DC Open, this annual tournament is only combined mens’ and womens’ 500-level tennis tournament in the world. The open is one of D.C.’s longest-standing sports traditions, and will take place at the Rock Creek Park Tennis Center July 25-Aug. 2. Naomi Osaka, Venus Williams, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, and others are expected to play.

Festivals

Afro Plus Fest: This huge, three-day Afro-Caribbean Hip-Hop Festival brings together headliners Davido, Alkaline, and Wizkid, plus Tems and Ayra Starr. The event moves from RFK to the Northwest Stadium Complex for three days, Sept. 4-6.
Capital Fringe Festival: Running from July 11-21, this massive celebration features dozens of live theater, comedy, dance, and boundary-pushing nighttime performances across multiple DC neighborhoods.
The National Book Festival returns, with headliners like Cynthia Erivo, and Martin Scorsese. The one-day festival, Saturday, Aug. 22, brings together bookworms and word nerds under the theme “America 250: It’s Your Story.” There are talks, workshops, musical sessions and more.
All Things Go: A three-day festival Sept. 25-27 at Merriweather Post Pavilion featuring Mitski, Hayley Williams, Brandi Carlile, MUNA, Zara Larsson, Ethel Cain, and many, many more artists. There are single-day and three-day tickets. Featuring and highlighting female artists, the festival has turned into a must-see for many LGBTQ audience members.
Fuchsia Fest: The inaugural Fuchsia Fest is a new multi-day celebration created to celebrate LGBTQ community and expression, bringing together a mix of community gatherings, entertainment, and nightlife. The event takes place Sept. 18-20 and is hosted by Capital Pride.

Art and Music

United We Dance: A high-energy rave with house, techno, bass, and festival music, on Aug. 1 at the 9:30 Club.
The Fray. On Aug. 14, this American rock band famous for How To Save A Life is at Merriweather Post Pavilion.
Kesha: Kesha’s high-energy The Freedom Tour comes to the D.C. area on Aug. 14 at Jiffy Lube Live.
ALOK: On Sept. 3 at Lincoln Theater, ALOK (they/them) performs. The poet, comedian, and actor is putting on a new comedy show.
2charm, the emerging Australian electronic club-pop duo popular with the queer community, which blends hyperpop and dance music, comes to the Atlantis.
Sapphic Dance Party: a vibrant, inclusive nightlife and social event designed specifically for queer women, lesbians, bisexuals, trans individuals, and nonbinary folks, at Atlantis on Aug. 21.
Jazz in the Garden: The most quintessential of D.C. activities returns Friday evenings through Aug. 14. This season’s theme, “American Sounds,” is a nod to the nation’s 250th anniversary. Tunes themes range from Appalachian and Americana to Creole jazz, Hill Country blues, contemporary jazz, and more. Tickets are available through a lottery system a week before each event.