MovieChat Forums > Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001) Discussion > Yitzhak; is Miriam Shor playing a guy or...

Yitzhak; is Miriam Shor playing a guy or a girl who looks like a guy?

posted 9 years ago by KeiserHenning
5 replies | jump to latest

I liked the movie, but this confused me. Due to the obviously fake beard, I kinda figured Yitzhak was a girl who dressed like a guy, but then why whould he be embarrased about trying on Hedwigs wig? And then I figured, in the end, maybe he finally got comfortable with being a girl (even though he had no trouble playing a transwoman in RENT...?).
But then I watched a deleted scene where Yitzhak was dressed as a woman in some Barbara Streisand-ish competition, and when Hediwg removed Yitzhak wig he has sideburns.

So whats going on?

[–] michaelburbach 9 years ago

She is playing a man who used to be a drag queen.

[–] KeiserHenning 9 years ago

Then why is he obviously embarrassed to try on Hedwigs wig? And why is his big ending moment that he is a girl? (Or an incredibly good drag queen?)

[–] michaelburbach 9 years ago

He doesn't want Hedwig to see him trying on the wig because Hedwig has forbidden him from ever doing drag again. He used to be a drag queen and Hedwig said the only way they could be together was if another wig never touched his head again.

As Hedwig becomes angrier and ever more bitter, Yitzhak feels more and more trapped and abused. Yitzhak gave us his own dream to walk in the shadow of Hedwig. At the end, Hedwig finally releases the pain and anger inside, and also sets Yitzhak free to do as he pleases and go after his dreams. Yitzhak isn't revealed to be a woman at the end, but a fabulous drag queen now free to dress and perform however she wants.

[–] hell-cat-1 8 years ago

BUT, Yitzhak looks and sounds like a woman, especially when singing, and the actress playing her is female. At the end, she doesn't look like a drag queen to me but a beautiful curvy woman.

[–] 8 years ago

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