From Los Angeles to Amsterdam to Berlin and back, Passing Strange takes musical theater on a whole new trip, across boundaries of place, identity, and theatrical convention. Singer-songwriter and performance artist Stew, a popular performer at Joe’s Pub, was commissioned by The Public to develop this moving and hilarious story of a young black bohemian in search of self and home who charts a course for “the real” through sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Passing Strange is a co-production with Berkeley Repertory Theatre.
The world premiere production features book and lyrics by Stew, music by Stew and Heidi Rodewald, direction by Annie Dorsen, and choreography by Karole Armitage.