Rebecca Naomi Jones to Sing National Anthem at Shea 6/12

Rebecca Naomi Jones - who is currently making her Broadway debut in the Tony nominated musical PASSING STRANGE - will sing the national anthem at Shea Stadium, this Thursday June 12.

The Obie-winning performer will sing "The Star-Spangled Banner" prior to the New York Mets vs. Arizona Diamondbacks game at Shea Stadium. Her performance is scheduled for 1:10 PM.The critically acclaimed Broadway musical PASSING STRANGE - currently nominated for 7 Tony Awards, including Best Musical - celebrated its 100th performance at the Belasco Theatre (111 West 44th Street) on Sunday, May 25th with its 3:00pm performance. In addition to its Tony nominations, PASSING STRANGE won three top awards in two days earlier this week: the New York Drama Critic's Circle Awards (Best Musical), the Village Voice Obie Awards (Best New Theatre Piece), and the Drama Desk Awards (Outstanding Musical).PASSING STRANGE was also the recipient of two additional Drama Desk Awards (Outstanding Music for Stew and Heidi Rodewald &Outstanding Lyrics for Stew); one additional Village Voice Obie Award (for the PASSING STRANGE acting ensemble - de'Adre Aziza, Daniel Breaker, Eisa Davis, Colman Domingo, Chad Goodridge, Rebecca Naomi Jones, and Stew); and two Theatre World Awards (for de'Adre Aziza and Daniel Breaker). 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 their rock-and-roll music since 2000 when they formed the band The Negro Problem, also known as STEW, promptly winning two Album of the Year Awards from Entertainment Weekly for their acclaimed works "Guest Host" and "The Naked Dutch Painter."PASSING STRANGE is the tale of a young black musician 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 voyage within is the one that counts.PASSING STRANGE opened on Broadway on February 28, 2008 at the Belasco Theatre (111 West 44th Street) to such rave reviews as: "Bursting at the seams with melodic songs," (New York Times), PASSING STRANGE "is truly unlike anything you've seen on Broadway" (USA Today).  "Call it a rock concert with a story to tell.  Call it whatever you want, really.  I'll just call it wonderful" (New York Times).  PASSING STRANGE "taps into the energy of rock with high-voltage enthusiasm," (Associated Press), and is a "brilliant work" (The New Yorker). "From 'Hair' to 'Rent' to 'Spring Awakening,' composers have sought to reinvigorate musical theater by harnessing the energy and raw expressiveness of rock.  But PASSING STRANGE, the defiantly unclassifiable musical by Los Angeles singer-songwriter Stew is a magical mystery tour." (Variety) PASSING STRANGE performs Tuesdays at 7pm; Wednesdays - Saturdays at 8pm; Wednesday and Saturday matinees at 2pm; and Sundays at 3pm at the Belasco Theatre (111 West 44th Street) on Broadway. Tickets are priced $111.50 - $66.50 - $36.50 - $26.50, and are available through Tele-charge at www.TeleCharge.com, or by calling 212-239-6200.For additional information on PASSING STRANGE, visit www.PassingStrangeOnBroadway.com.

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