'Passing Strange' Wins 4 Audelco Awards for Black Theatre

Passing Strange –The Public Theater's hit last spring and set to begin Broadway previews starting February 8, 2008 - won four awards at the 35th annual Vivian Robinson/Audelco Recognition Awards honoring excellence in black theatre last evening, Monday, November 19 at Harlem Stages/Aaron Davis Hall in Manhattan.

Along with the Audelco Award for Musical Production of the Year, Passing Strange also received Audelco Awards for Outstanding Director/Musical Production, Annie Dorsen; Outstanding Musical Director, Heidi Rodewald, and Outstanding Performance in a Musical/Male Actor, Daniel Breaker.

The Audelco Awards are awarded annually to recognize and honor excellence in Black Theatre by the Audelco (Audience Development Committee) organization, which is devoted to generating recognition, understanding and awareness in the Black communities and to build new audiences for non-profit theatre and dance.

Passing Strange will transfer to Broadway, beginning previews February 8 prior to opening February 28, 2008 at the Belasco Theatre (111 West 44 Street) in Manhattan under the auspices of The Shubert Organization, Elizabeth Ireland McCann and The Public Theatre.

With book and lyrics by the popular singer/songwriter Stew, and with music by Stew and his longtime musical partner Heidi Rodewald, Passing Strange is directed by and created in collaboration with Annie Dorsen. Passing Strange is the first musical by Stew and Heidi Rodewald, best-known for the Afro-baroque sound they have patented since 2000 when they formed the band Stew, promptly winning two Album of the Year Awards from Entertainment Weekly for their acclaimed works "Guest Host" and ""The Naked Dutch Painter."

The original cast includes: de'Adre Aziza, Daniel Breaker, Eisa Davis, Colman Domingo, Chad Goodridge, Rebecca Naomi Jones and Stew, himself. A band of consummate musicians joins the cast on stage, including co-creator Heidi Rodewald, along with Jon Spurney, Christian Cassan, et.al.

Passing Strange has choreography by Karole Armitage, scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Elizabeth Hope Clancy, and lighting design by Kevin Adams.

Passing Strange has also been selected as one of the "10 Best Plays Theater Yearbook 2006-2007."

"With a score that has some of the most tuneful, soulful rock songs, and witty, thought-provoking lyrics in recent memory, Passing Strange is the moving and hilarious story of a young black bohemian on a journey of escape and exploration: leaving the confines of his middle-class, church-reared youth in south central L.A., the further he travels the more he discovers the journey within is the one that counts," explain press notes.

Performance schedule for Passing Strange to be announced. Tickets will be on sale through Tele-charge 212 239-6200.