MovieChat Forums > Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001) Discussion > Why is Yitzhak played by a woman?

Why is Yitzhak played by a woman?

posted 9 years ago by trymcnl
6 replies | jump to latest

What is the purpose of Yitzhak always being played by a woman if his character is just a gay man?

JCM said it's mainly for voice reasons. Yitzhak needs to sing counterpoint to Hedwig, and only a woman has the right voice to sound good with a male actor playing Hedwig. I suppose if Hedwig was played by a woman, they would cast a man to counter her voice.

"What movie moments resonate with you most profoundly?"

[–] Ithilfaen 9 years ago

JCM said it's mainly for voice reasons. Yitzhak needs to sing counterpoint to Hedwig, and only a woman has the right voice to sound good with a male actor

A whole lots of boys bands would disagree.

For every lie I unlearn I learn something new - Ani Difranco

[–] silvertron 9 years ago

Well boy bands usually do harmonies not counterpoints.

[–] tzot 8 years ago

Neither Yitzhak has accepted themself (for almost all of the movie).

--
I speak England very best.

[–] bettinahooper 8 years ago

One of the themes of Hedwig is the fluidity of gender.
The film was made about 15 years ahead of time.

[–] gallae 7 years ago

Not sure this is connected, but when I saw Phil Oakley live at the Metro in the last decade, one of his band members was a lot like Yitzhak. And that was the least weird thing that night, considering Phil was bald at that event (oh dear). I never found out what the story was.

Laura Ess