The cast and crew of rock musical “Hedwig and the Angry Inch” were only given an inch – of time to prepare.

Musical ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ has required a lot from its cast and crew. But with only a week to prepare on-stage, they’ve connected to a show they hope will connect with audiences. Courtesy ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’

Being thrown into their first and only week of on-stage rehearsals gave new meaning to “Hell Week.”

“It makes me nervous,” said Phillip Barnette, who’s playing Tommy Gnosis, an in-show rock star. “I am simply excited for ‘Hell Week’ … It puts the pressure on definitely, because we have a general outline of what we got, but we don’t know what exactly the set’s going to look like or where everything is going to go.”

Nervousness aside, the cast appears ready to rock.

“That is the sort of guerrilla-style of theater that is the second-stage slot,” said Nathan Altman, who is playing Hedwig, the show’s main character and perspective. “That’s the fun part about it, because you have to figure it out before getting to your space. Starting tomorrow, at the beginning of ‘Hell Week,’ we’ll be at the theater until about 2 a.m. or 3 a.m.”

Being Altman’s second performance of “Hedwig,” at the Town & Gown, he chose this character for a reason.

“I feel like I’ve been preparing all my life,” Altman said. “It’s a story that everyone relates to and everyone goes through: finding out who you are, finding out how you fit into this world, finding that someone that gets you enough that you want to be around them every day and love you enough.”

The show itself has garnered a cult following — much like “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” — and its die-hard fans, including much of the cast, have been dubbed “Hedheads.”

“I was exposed to Hedwig in high school,” said University student Elizabeth Cunningham, who’s playing Nona Labelle. “I was one of the misfits and losers, which is one of the lines in the show. A friend of mine was showing it at their house and I fell in love.”

And with visual aspects similar to “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” — including lingerie and corset-clad actors on stage — this story about a transgender rock singer could be seen as provocative.

“Anyone who’s familiar with the story of Hedwig or musical of Hedwig is not going to be particularly shocked,” said Eric Kumsomboone, who is co-directing alongside Cameron Logan. “I feel like even more conservative audiences will enjoy the show, even with the more risqué side of it.”

The show could turn people’s heads, but Kumsomboone believes there’s much more underlining the production’s plot and emotion.

“It’s all very fun and sort of tongue and cheek,” he said. “Even when it’s in your face, it’s done in such a manner that it’s fun and non-offensive, but it will make you think and consider.”

Altman believes “Hedwig” is more of a rock ‘n’ roll-show than a rock opera and that it’s raw nature of a storyline will move people even as it rocks them.

“You get so many different feels and feelings happening … and you leave kind of floating, which is the way the first time I felt after watching ‘Hedwig,’” Altman said. “I feel like in the same way that ‘Rocky Horror’ pulls people in or the people who have seen ‘Rent’ 35 times, there’s something that resonates with people that you just can’t deny, that tugs at you and tugs at your heart.”

‘HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH’

Where: Town and Gown

When: Dec. 15-18, 8 p.m.

Price: $12, half the proceeds go to Boybutante Aids Foundation.