Stephen and I were influenced by a lot of people in the creation of the show, including Sandra Bernhardt. We had the fantasy that she might play the role. I've always thought because Hedwig is neither man nor woman (but rather both) that gender shouldn't be a factor in casting (or race, for that matter--Hedwig's dad is of undetermined ancestry). It didn't work out with Sandra and when I found that out, I was sitting with Ally and Martha Plimpton at lunch at the Sundance Film Lab. We had all become fast friends. Ally was doing my makeup for the scenes we shot. All three of us had gone dancing and sang karaoke together the night before. I thought for a second, and then turned to them and asked if either might want to play Hedwig. Martha said "Omigod, I couldn't!" , but Ally said "Fuck yeah!" We started talking. She totally got the show. She was incredibly moved by the story. She had lived it, in a way, having been showered with love and then dropped by Hollywood in the 80's, partly because of her natural androgyny. She was thrilled at the thought of fully exploring that side of herself (check out her award-winning performance in last year's High Art) So we made it happen, and at this very moment she's in intense physical and mental training for the role in LA (where her family is). Stephen's going out to work with her and I'm really excited, as is Peter (Askin, the director - K.) and the producers.

She'll need to feel welcome to go where she needs to go in this part and I hope you'll all be there for her.

thanks and love, john c.m.