Taye Diggs is to take over from Darren Criss as the lead of the cult musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Diggs will join Rebecca Naomi Jones, who stars as Yitzhak – they are the first black actors to play those roles.
“Taye is fantastic,” said producer David Binder. “He has theatre cred, he has pop culture cred, he can sing, he can act, he can dance, he’s smart and he’s sexy.” Diggs is best known for romantic roles in films such as The Best Man and How Stella Got Her Groove Back, plus a stint on the Grey’s Anatomy spin-off Private Practice – though he also has Broadway pedigree, having performed in Rent opposite his later wife, Let It Go singer Idina Menzel.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch, about a German rock musician recalling her tumultuous life story and botched sex-change operation, was written by John Cameron Mitchell. It ran off-Broadway, was adapted for the screen and then had a triumphant revival on Broadway in 2014, winning four Tony awards. It has starred Neil Patrick Harris and Michael C Hall, with Glee actor Criss currently playing the lead.
Mitchell returned to the show earlier this year for an eight-week run; he will be given a special Tony award next month for his performance.
