Ghost Light Projects – Debbie Does Dallas and Hedwig and The Angry Inch

reviewed by Paula Citron
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Debbie Does Dallas written by Erica Schmidt and Andrew Sherman
Hedwig and The Angry Inch written by John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask
Ghost Light Projects
Directed by Penelope Corrin
Musical direction by Greg Gibson
Starring Jamie Robinson (Debbie) and Seth Drabinsky (Hedwig)
At the Theatre Centre until Nov. 8.
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The upstart Ghost Light Projects clearly loves off-Broadway musicals. Both Debbie Does Dallas and Hedwig and The Angry Inch are on the same night with separate admission. Together, they are lots of fun, and are performed by an enthusiastic group of talented newcomers under the excellent direction of Penelope Corrin. The double bill is also, to say the least, a racy evening.

Debbie Does Dallas premiered in 2001 and is a tongue-in-cheek knock-off inspired by the classic 1978 porn film of the same name. The writers have substituted clever songs for the salacious aspects of the original.

Hedwig and The Angry Inch has become something of a cult icon since its debut in 1998. It presents the fictional concert of a transgender German who tells the sordid story of his/her life through raunchy rock music.

The extremely enjoyable double bill of Debbie Does Dallas and Hedwig and The Angry Inch continues at the Theatre Centre until Nov. 8.