Pics and gifs of Darren in Hedwig and the Angry Inch on Broadway.

Darren Criss wrote:
I’m going to do it this way and then you can catch it on Youtube, alright? So, here’s the deal, I wanted to say something onstage but it just didn’t seem appropriate at the time, so a couple of things. First of all, I never thought I’d be given the opportunity or be in the position to open for Taye Diggs, so that’s really exciting. I get to do that (that was a joke). So um, what is there to say? There’s a couple of thank yous I was going to give, but I’m going to give them in person to friends at this next party. But first of all, guys, it’s our good friend Bobby Devlin’s last night. Bobby has been with every Hedwig and he’s worked his ass off to keep you guys safe and keep everyone happy. Number two, the American theater has a lot of amazing things, we have this very rich history of really kickass theaters and shows and characters and John Cameron Mitchell has given us one of the greatest, like the greatest character to add to the American lexicon of great theater, and I feel so incredibly proud to have been part of that narrative. Like a lot of you guys, I was a huge fan for a long time so I know what it’s like to be a fan and to wait out here at stage doors and to come back and come back get that picture and get that autograph - I know what it’s like to be really moved by something. So, I wanted to thank you guys for waiting out here in this crazy heat and the ticket prices and all that crazy shit, it all means being part of something that is greater than ourselves so I share that very much with you guys and I thank you for the bottomest parts of my heart for waiting all this time and being part of this. This isn’t just my show, it’s all of our show, and you guys are very much a part of it with me and you’ve made it such an incredible experience. I know a lot of guys are involved in theater and stuff - it’s been such a privilege to be able to share that magic that I got from the show and recycle it back to you guys. I think that’s very appropriate. So having said that, I hope to look forward to seeing any of you guys, whether it be here, somewhere in some small theater whether it’s backstage or onstage, I look forward to seeing you guys taking this on in your own way, doing it, putting on some heels, and kicking ass. So, I wish you all the best and I’ll catch you guys on the midnight radio.


— Darren Criss’s speech at the stage door after his final performance as Hedwig (via lovetheblazer)
July 19, 2015

Playbill wrote:
How Darren Criss Chose Who to Kiss as Hedwig

March 15, 2017

Broadway star Darren Criss appeared on Conan March 14. A huge fan of the late-night host, Criss looked back on his time starring in the title role in Hedwig and the Angry Inch.

Criss is convinced that he looks better as a woman: “Walking around in heels and makeup, I go, ‘God, I’ve never looked this good in my life.’” It also gave him a newfound respect for women. “My absolute respect and admiration of the ladies who have been rocking that war paint for the better half of most of civilization,” he said. “Walking around in heels is such a humbling experience for men.” Watch him talk about it here.

For those who don’t know—or who missed Neil Patrick Harris’ Tony performance involving Samuel L. Jackson—Hedwig plants a big kiss on an unknowing audience member. Criss explained to talk-show host Conan O’Brien how he would choose his target.

“If you’re familiar with the show, it’s a very rambunctious sort of crew; it’s got a large following of people who know what they’re getting into for the most part when they come see the show,” explained Criss. “I would tend to pick the people who I assumed didn’t know what was going on. I would try and target the most conservative-looking straight boys because that’s just more fun.” But, as it turns out, that backfired one night on Criss, watch here.