The Shubert Organization, Elizabeth Ireland
McCann, LLC
Bill Kenwright, Chase Mishkin, Barbara & Buddy Freitag
Broadway Across America, Emily Fisher Landau, Peter May
Boyett Ostar, Elie Hirschfeld/Jed Bernstein, Wendy Federman/Jackie Barlia Florin
Spring Sirkin/Ruth Hendel, Vasi Laurence/Pat Flicker Addiss
Joey Parnes, Executive Director
In association with
The Public Theater and The Berkeley Repertory Theatre
Present
PASSING STRANGE
www.PassingStrangeOnBroadway.com
Book & Lyrics by STEW
Music by STEW and HEIDI RODEWALD
Starring
STEW
With
DE’ADRE AZIZA, ELISA DAVIS, COLMAN DOMINGO, CHAD GOODRIDGE, REBECCA NAOMI JONES
And
DANIEL BREAKER
Directed by and created in collaboration with ANNIE DORSEN
Choreography by KAROLE ARMITAGE
Scenic Design: DAVID KORINS
Costume Design: ELIZABETH HOPE CLANCY
Lighting Design: KEVIN ADAMS
Sound Design: TOM MORSE
Music Supervision & Orchestration: STEW & HEIDI RODEWALK
Music Coordinator: SEYMOUR RED PRESS
Casting: JORDAN THALER & HEIDI GRIFFITHS
Production Stage Manager: TRIPP PHILLIPS
Press Representative: SAM RUDY MEDIA RELATIONS
Company Manager: KIM SELLON
Associate Producer: S.D. WAGNER
BELASCO THEATRE
111 West 44th Street (between Broadway & Sixth Avenue)
(212) 239-6200 or www.telecharge.com
Opening Night: February 28, 2008
One of the obvious joys of Off Broadway is finding a pure gem, and PASSING
STRANGE, originating at The Public Theater downtown and now at the Belasco
Theatre on Broadway, is one of those jewels. The musical starts off as a rock
concert. Musicians stream on stage, and the Narrator Supreme (singer/songwriter
Stew who also happens to be the co-creator of this work along with
Annie Dorsen) quickly sets up the scene. We are introduced to the Youth (Daniel
Breaker), and his musical search for identity begins. It takes him to
Church, Amsterdam and Berlin before returning him right back where he started
newly awakened.
Along the way we are treated to innovative music, whether gospel, punk rock,
psychedelic, or revolutionary, accompanied by fresh and resourceful choreography
by Karole Armitage. The songs are punctuated by clever wording, just the
right amount of irreverence, and some extremely funny concepts. Although a tad
too long, for those who encourage us to enjoy the journey, PASSING STRANGE
is the perfect example of how this can be done. Tongue-in-cheek or in-your-face,
the humor and pathos bring the message home. Until we find (or admit) our true
essence, we all do things to “pass strange.”
- Laurie Lawson -