Passing Strange Will Arrive on Broadway in 2008

[somethingwicked]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 12:24am

"Passing Strange, which played an extended, acclaimed engagement at the Public Theater this past summer, will arrive at Broadway's Belasco Theatre Feb. 8, 2008, with an official opening scheduled for Feb. 28..."

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/112019.html

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 12:25am

So not going to work on Broadway.

[myManCape]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 12:26am

I agree Emcee. Bad choice.

[Vespertine1228]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 12:30am

I heard only amazing things about this Off-Broadway. Someone must really believe in the project enough to lose a lot of money. Lord knows The Public's budget isn't ready for a transfer of anything right now.

Plus we're filling another theatre, which is always exciting. I know I'll go check it out.

[ashley0139]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 1:03am

I loved this show Off-Broadway, but it is so not a Broadway show. Not that that's ever stopped anyone.

[broadwaybelter]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 1:06am

What's the score like?

[sidjones09]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 1:23am

It's a mix of Rock, Blues, with a little gospel feel at times. Very ecclectic (sp?). I loved this show as well at The Public, but I can't see it having the commercial success it will need to succeed on Broadway. But I am excited to see it again, and I pray that they make a cast recording. I find myself singing some of the music from that show in my head from time to time. Great score in my opinion. The score is probably the best part of the show besides the incredible cast. Daniel Breaker was phenomenal in the lead and Stew and the Band are unbelievable.

[LostLeander]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 1:43am

I am THRILLED.

This is one of the best things I've ever seen, and I'm so glad it's getting a chance.

True, it's not for everyone, but it's an amazing piece of theatre, and I'm glad it's at least getting seen.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 1:48am

I AM glad that this increases the likelihood of a recording.

[emg_sound]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 3:16am

Awesome news... although it's going into the wrong space on broadway. It really should be going into the Circle in Square, that space fit the show MUCH better.

That being said, I feel that it will capture a young hip audience, since the score makes Spring Awakening sound like Yanni! (Don't get me wrong, I love SA, but it does not rock 1/10th as much as the opening bars of passing strange do!).

I saw it on the night of the Tonys last year, it would be fitting to see it AT the Tonys this year.

fyi: my best musical card for the tonys is full: Xanadu, YF (although I haven't seen it, it will not overwhelm, but it will get a nod), Passing Strange, and Catered Affair (a bit odd [saw it in San Diego], but will pull the traditional Broadway audience, and have them weeping!)

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 4:28am

Your Best Musical card may be full, but you can't forget IN THE HEIGHTS, a completely original musical which is sure to get Tony support, and CRY-BABY, which sounds like it is going to be a real blast.

I have a feeling (hope?) that YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN may get the boot from the Best Musical category this year. Of course I haven't seen it yet -- I see it next week. But I'd really like to see some of the underdogs fill out the Best Musical category.

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 8:37am

Wow, I'm kind of excited that I saw this way back at Berkeley Rep. I hope they tightened it a bit since then - it was great, but far too long at 2.5 hours.

[MasterLcZ]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 8:50am

Fantastic news! But I disagree with those who think PASSING STRANGE is too offbeat for Broadway. It should attract the SPRING AWAKENING fans (and I think P.S. is far superior to S.A.), and I most remember everyone saying that AVENUE Q was too odd for Broadway : "It's a PUPPET SHOW!"

I'd also add that with this news, PASSING STRANGE is a front-runner for the Best Score Tony.

(and if PASSING STRANGE takes the Belasco, then [title of show] can go into Circle In The Square if SPELLING BEE vacates the space as many expect it to)

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 8:53am

I thought 13 wanted Circle in the Square? (Though that's a silly rumor since running costs would be prohibitive there...)

[Smaxie]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 9:01am

I had heard 13 being discussed for another theatre.

Anyway, as to Passing Strange being "too offbeat" for Broadway...

I remember the same was said for Urinetown, which went on to two and a half years on Broadway, three Tony Awards and recoupment,

The same was said for Avenue Q, which went on to win Best Musical, recoup, and is still with us four years later.

The same was said for 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which won two Tonys, recouped and is still with us more than two years later.

The same was said for Spring Awakening, which recouped, won Best Musical and is about to celebrate its first year on Broadway.

I can't think of a recent Off-Broadway musical transfer that's tanked, but I'm sure I'm forgetting something. (EDIT: Well, I just remembered Caroline or Change. But it sure has gone on to success in San Francisco, LA, London and regional life, and I think even its Broadway producers went into it knowing it would be a bit of a succès d'estime situation).

Nevertheless, it seems that if a show is good enough with any sort of appeal, and can get accolades and a significant award or two, it can run on Broadway. The idea of damning them in advance is getting old.

Updated On: 10/19/07 at 09:01 AM

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 9:29am

Grey Gardens...

[Smaxie]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 10:06am

Oh yeah! Well that one was unfortunately handled and ended badly. But still, I think to say that there is a pretty good success rate for shows that would not have seemed like Broadway fare 10 years ago.

[BustopherPhantom]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 10:09am

Thank you, God - another MUSICAL, finally.

[folkyboy]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 11:30am

i actually had no interest in this show Off-Broadway but will probably see it once it transfers

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 12:52pm

I didn't mean to imply that I think it's too "off-beat" for Broadway thematically, or that it's too "weird" for Broadway or whatever. I don't at all. I'm all for evolving the idea of what "is" Broadway. I just don't think a Broadway house with a proscenium stage is the best space for it just... physically.

(How much shall we bet that they're going to have on-stage seating?)

Updated On: 10/19/07 at 12:52 PM

[RentBoy86]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 5:31pm

Broadway is - well, should be - the best in theatre. And if the producers believe in this show, then bring it on.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 10/19/07 at 7:13pm

TITLE OF SHOW on Broadway? Is that a fact or a hope? I couldn't possibly see that slight show running on Broadway.

[theaterkid1015]

Posted: 12/28/07 at 8:52pm

Sorry to sound kind of naive, but can someone explain "Passing Strange" to me? It kind of hit me out of nowhere that I knew nothing about it, and it's opening soon. Any info?

[Smaxie]

Posted: 12/28/07 at 9:02pm

http://www.passingstrangeonbroadway.com/

[jaystarr]

Posted: 12/28/07 at 9:15pm

Smaxie- Thanks for the link. I just downloaded those two free songs...

********

Wow ! I actually never saw this one last year... this is the first time I heard the music... sounds soo granola... sooo coffeehouse music..but the KEY song--sounds soo MACY GRAY... I like it .. I kinda agree with those posters^^^.. i really dont know if this will work on Broadway? or i could be wrong? I might see this during the 1st week previews..in case........

BTW- here's the playbill from the OFF-BROADWAY Run:
(from playbill)




Photos













Updated On: 12/28/07 at 09:15 PM