Passing Strange--the next rock musical

[BroadwayGirl107]

Posted: 5/15/07 at 4:44pm

I thought I'd pass word along about this new musical that opened last night at The Public, because I don't know how well word has been spreading around about this.

In a nutshell, the show is about a young black man growing up in a nice suburb of L.A., who, in search of "the real," as he calls it, and his life in art makes his way to liberal Amsterdam and politically-charged Berlin in the 70s/80s all the while brushing off his single mother, who, regardless, offers his unconditional love.

The book is often witty and bitingly funny (often affectionately poking fun at the protagonist's youthful, but selfish zeal), the lyrics often poetic and poignant (though sometimes Stew tries TOO hard for poetry), and the music soulful and catchy. The show is reminiscent of the favorite rock musicals like Hair, Rent, and Spring Awakening, and I'd strongly recommend it to anyone who has a taste for that style of story-telling.

The show certainly has its flaws, but much of the cast is fantastic, and the show is fresh and a unique, energetic experience.
New York Times Review