New York City
The musical reunites the musician with his ”Passing Strange” collaborator, Heidi Rodewald.
The Total Bent, the new musical from Passing Strange creators Stew and Heidi Rodewald, has been extended at the Public Theater. Joanna Settle directs the production which begins previews May 10, with opening night set for May 25. The run will now continue through June 19.
With text by Stew and music by Stew and Rodewald, both of whom will be featured in the show's onstage band, The Total Bent explores the life of a young black musical prodigy in a nation on the verge of social upheaval.
The company is made up of Ato Blankson-Wood (Marty Roy), Kenny Brawner (Deacon Charlie), David Cale (Byron Blackwell), Vondie Curtis-Hall (Joe Roy), Damian Lemar Hudson (Deacon Dennis), Jahi Kearse (Andrew), and Curtis Wiley (Abee). Joining Stew and Rodewald in the band are musical director Marty Beller, John Blevins, and Brad Mulholland.
The Total Bent features scenic design by Andrew Lieberman, costume design by Gabriel Berry, lighting design by Thom Weaver, sound design by Obadiah Eaves and Sten Severson, and choreography by David Neumann.