The Offical Passing Strange Love Thread (Scaryotypes Unite)- Page 6

[joe5]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 1:13pm

I was just checking Telecharge for tickets in May. Up to yesterday they were only selling tickets to June. But as of today, its till August. Its beginning to feel real!!!!!

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 3:40pm

VERYC, Yes, INSIDE the theatre: are staff, security, people going to the restrooms, bartenders setting up, the House Manager, ushers, understudies etc. They all have to walk in back of row P, unfortunately! Architecture.

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 3:43pm

Katurian, the plans to renovate are in place and designed. It just depends on when the theater's gonna be "vacant".

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 3:56pm

I wish there were Welcome to Amsterdam shirts for guys Boo!

I gotta see this again in May, it's just so incredible.

I wanted to say hi tiny, but wasn't sure which one was you

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 3:59pm

Vat's inside is just a lie.

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 4:00pm

Culture is cosmetic

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 4:11pm

Ideas are dependable
there's a new one every week
Emotions are expendable
because they aren't unique

[HaveToFinishTheHat]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 5:36pm

So it looks like Passing Strange is going to be recorded soon!

https://www.broadwayworld.com/viewcolumn.cfm?colid=26446

Hurray! I wonder if Stew will take out the lines in the middle of the songs to make it like a more traditional rock CD with each track its own contained song. Or maybe it will be recorded live... with narrative intact?

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 5:45pm

I would LOVE a full recording, a la the London Parade. That would MAKE MY LIFE.


ps The Naked Dutch Painter is an amazingly infectious and wonderful album, as is Guest Host. And the Negro Problem is JUST as fantastic!

I NEED TO SEE THIS SHOW AGAIN

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 5:47pm

I would hope that a good chunk of Stew's narration remains intact on the recording.

[verynewyorkcurious]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 5:48pm

Fantastic!

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 5:56pm

A live recording would be amazing.

[BenKaye]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 6:11pm

YES!!!!

Can't wait for April 6, when I see this again!

And can't til when the cast recording is released, whenever that is....

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 9:37pm

PS fans! Another STANDING ROOM ONLY Thursday night (tonight). It's getting so infectious, I'm daydreaming that getting a Tony isn't really necessary...wouldn't THAT be incredible, (but the Tony IS nice!)?
My one wish--that the entire orch. section gets up during AMSTERDAM, and tears into the aisles rockin' their little tushies off!
I'll say it again--you standing room people are ~THE BEST~
Sorry I missed you BLAXX, I guess you'll have to see PS again.
Updated On: 3/27/08 at 09:37 PM

[Katurian2]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 9:42pm

Does anyone know if there is a site to get the merchandise online? I didn't bring my wallet when I saw the show, and really loved the "Welcome to Amsterdam" shirts!

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 3/27/08 at 10:06pm

http://www.playbill.com/news/article/115968.html

New excellent rush policy...no age limit.

[joe5]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 10:33am

I can't wait for the this recording. Yeah!!!!!

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 3:21pm

Me, too, JOE 5, hope the recording retains the entire libretto.
BTW, I ocassionally peruse ATC, but most of the posting is SO negative and academic. Today, somebody was questioning my posting last nite re: the SRO last night. I don't get it. I'm JUST a fan.
The truth is that Tues, Wed Mat were light, Wed night was about 70%, etc. I like many other shows besides PS, but I'm only reporting the apparent gradual upsurge in weekly PAID sales, which is about 56.00 ea.,from what I see. The other truth is that I have worked very few shows in my lifetime, where the patrons came in SO HAPPY (to be there). It's kind of alarming, in a way, and nice! I felt the good vibe from the beginning. The word of mouth and repeat customers are very important. And, I hope theatergoers everywhere root for ALL the new shows. There's something for everyone.

[WaltSummersPI]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 3:26pm

You're just a fan? I was the one who posted that I thought you were an usher. Oops.

VIVA PASSING STRANGE.

[blaxx]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 3:29pm

ATC folks hate Passing Strange with passion. They are determined to see it fail.

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 3:32pm

BLAXX, well, not JUST PS, most everything they over analyze and tear to shreds.

[joe5]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 3:42pm

Tiny, You are great!!!!! Keep up the good word. And see you in May!

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 3:51pm

JOE 5, NO, YOU are great!! Aw shucks, thanks for the msg. I like people to be happy.
New fans, please post your favorite lines from the show---there are soooo many!

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 4:14pm

Alright, I didn't want to start a brand new thread, but here is my review of Passing Strange, for this past Wednesday's matinee:

Passing Strange, which opened in February, is certainly not your typical Broadway musical replete with catchy show tunes and flashy dances numbers. It is a rock musical in the purest form. The show follows Youth (Daniel Breaker), an aspiring song-writer from south central Los Angeles who travels to Amsterdam and then Berlin in search of “The Real.” Stew, the co-composer and librettist, serves as the Narrator.

Stew refers to his creation as a work of “autobiographical fiction” as Youth’s path through life follows a similar track to Stew’s. A native of middle class L.A., Stew traveled to Europe during his twenties in search of “The Real” and still calls Berlin his home. According to production notes the phrase “Passing Strange” refers to people “passing for what they are not culturally, psychologically…” This comes into play as Youth transforms himself repeatedly during his travels.

In the beginning of the show Daniel Breaker plays Youth with a convincingly sarcastic angst that should be easily recognizable in any typical middle class person in their early twenties. Once in Amsterdam Breaker drops the cynical act, mostly, and you can feel a palpable sense of wonder and discovery emanating from Youth. The most poignant moments of Passing Strange come when Stew comments directly on the past events of his life, giving the audience the sense that he wishes he could advise Youth and correct the mistakes he is making. The most remarkable of these instances comes towards the end of the show when Stew sits in the audience and watches as Youth performs “Passing Phase.”

As played by Eisa Davis, Youth’s mother begins as an overbearing, yet well-intentioned, presence but quickly becomes a sympathetic character, through Youth’s continued refusals to return home to see her. Davis’ acting though is what makes the audience feel for Mother. She perfectly embodies a mother who wants what is best for her child, but is increasingly saddened by the physical and emotional distance between them.

The other four members of the cast each tackle a separate role in LA, Amsterdam and Berlin. Standouts include de’ Adre Aziza’s Sudabey, an avant-garde filmmaker in Berlin and Rebecca Naomi Jones as Renata, Youth’s love interest in Amsterdam.

Passing Strange gets its strong rock sound from the on-stage band of five performers, led by Stew co-composter Heidi Rodewald. The band doesn’t participate in the narrative but they occasionally provide humorous interjections. A unique device used by set designer David Korins, places each band member on separate platforms that sink beneath the stage, allowing for the musicians to recede when the narrative literally takes center stage.

As the show has no distinct sets, only chairs to serve as set pieces, Kevin Adams’ lighting design is crucial in Passing Strange. In L.A. the lighting is projected against a scrim to subtle effect, reflecting Youth’s overall sense of malaise and dissatisfaction with his middle class existence. Once Youth arrives in Europe the scrim disappears to reveal a gigantic wall (designed by Adams and Korins) covered in strategically arranged multi-colored neon lights. It is so cleverly designed that they it is able to convey night, sunrise, and indoor lighting in convincing fashion. The lighting explodes in fantastic fashion during “Keys” nearly illuminating the entire theatre.

Audience members may gripe that Passing Strange is too loud. The volume level is essential to the message of Passing Strange as the force of the amplification makes the audience feel the emotion of the music and lyrics, both mentally and physically, as intended. Come to the Belasco Theatre and feel the real.

[thetinymagic2]

Posted: 3/28/08 at 4:20pm

Brilliant essay, FROGS_!!
Well written, thoughtful, with great insights into the directorial aspect of the show, in which practically nothing is ever written about ANNIE DORSEN. Thanks!