What is going on with Passing Strange?

I am seeing it tomorrow night, and looking forward to it, but I think the problems are as follows:

1) From what I have heard, its basically a "rock concert" that is much better suited to "Off-Bway"-

2) They are going to have a very tough time finding a "target audience".

3) No one knows about it !! Everytime I mention this show to people that go to the theatre, they give me that "huh?" look !!

I went in not knowing anything about it. Sadly, I didn't understand what was going on, and left at intermission. I wanted to enjoy it, but was disappointed.

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Testing and Foster, say hi, if you come to the show this week. I work in the Orch, near the "infra red" person.

Will it even make it until opening night?

Some ATC comments on Passing Strange:

Posted by: bruceb 03:38 pm EST 02/25/08
In reply to: Passing Strange at 23% last week? - Ncassidine 03:28 pm EST 02/25/08
I saw it Sunday matinee and really liked it a lot. It was pretty full but we were in the third row on comps and I think probably a lot of people were. My biggest problem was that curtain was at 3 and it didn't start till 3:21 - after an announcement that there were a lot of people in th elobby still getting seats (I think there was a mix up with lists).

I did find Act Two a bit of a strain - still enjoyable but not as good as Act One. The berlin section seemed to meander.

Anyway, I think there is an audience - everyone there seemed to have a great time. And even if people get in on paper, they don't have to stay and enjoy it. I think the audience reaction was enthusiastic and REAL.

Posted by: kidmanboy 05:24 pm EST 02/25/08
In reply to: re: Passing Strange at 23% last week? - rwb 03:54 pm EST 02/25/08
If you mean there aren't any traditional showtunes in the first half of act two, then you're correct. But what it does have is music that represents the time and place, and uses it to enhance and further the story and themes. Stew even makes reference to the difference in the music. The line is something to the effect of "Say you're music sounded like this and you heard this , it's bound to have an effect on you. I'm so glad to see a show that doesn't feel the need to bastardize music in order to make it sound more "broadway." Music in a musical should be used to enhance the setting and themes, and I don't think you can argue that the music in the Berlin section doesn't do that.

However, even for those that like they're songs with a more traditional structure, act two contains my two favorite songs in the show: "come down now" and "working the wound."

I don't know, perhaps this show is too much like performance art to be on broadway. I hope that come thursday the reviewers can see deeper into the piece's messages and artistic merit without trying to constrict it into the form of a book musical.

Good attitude, VERYNYC. Just remember that Thursday is opening night, and people seeing the show AFTER that, are weirdly influenced, either negatively or positively, JUST because ONE, NY Times critic says something.

I am in Balc A, on aisle-- :))

Aside from what I see here, I don't know much about it. This show has a marketing issue. Not a lot of people know about it. Based on music and video clips I've seen, I'm wondering if it would be better suited to play off-Broadway, as Testing mentioned.

This show is going to rely a lot on word of mouth, and if there is no buzz, then how can people spread the word?

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That might be true, but there are usually differing opinions... from what I read on ATC, around 95% of people hated "PS"

The numbers were so dismal last week that I question whether it will succeed even with good reviews. Rightly or wrongly, it doesn't appear to be a show with great appeal for John Q. Public. And it's at the Belasco, a theatre of last resort because of its location. Maybe I'll be wrong on this one, but I just don't think it's going to make it. I hope I'm wrong.

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Thanks thetinymagic for re-posting my ATC post.

I read these boards quite often but very rarely comment unless something particularly strikes a chord. To me, passing strange is a once a decade or so kind of show. It's one I will be thinking about for years to come.

I have to say, I am a in my mid-20s and went to the show with my in-laws who are in their mid-50s and they enjoyed it just as much as I did. I think this show really has the ability to speak to people if you're willing to listen. I am not an arts professional, I have not lived in Europe, have not been to Berlin or Amsterdam, and I am caucasian, and yet Stew found a way to speak universal truths...ones that I think are not only original to the theater, but original to film, television, etc as well. The story may not sound original, but what he does with it certainly is.

I urge everyone on these boards to go see it, before it's too late.

Tulita and Kidman, you've both expressed very well my feelings about this show (better than I can)...Thanks!
Even if it is suited to a more downtown, off-Bway sensibility, I think the Shuberts were, for once, decidedly courageous to produce it on Bway. Good Luck PS!