Bailiwick Chicago presents the Midwest Premiere of Passing Strange

Apr 1, 2011
Bailiwick Chicago

Bailiwick Chicago presents the Midwest Premiere of "Passing Strange," the Tony Award-winning rock/soul musical at the Chicago Center for the Performing Arts, 777N. Green St., April 21-May 29. "Passing Strange," directed by Bailiwick Chicago Collective Member Lili-Anne Brown and musically directed by Jimmy Morehead, featuresbook and lyrics by Stew, music by Stew and Heidi Rodewald, and was created in collaboration with Annie Dorsen. Previews are April 21-23.Press opening is Monday April 25. Tickets go on sale Friday, April 1.

From singer-songwriter and performance artist Stew comes a daring musical that takes audiences on a journey across boundaries of place, identity and theatrical convention. "Passing Strange" electrified Broadway in 2008, winning a Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical and numerous other awards. Acclaimed film director Spike Lee was so taken with the play he created a critically acclaimed film documentary of the same title which premiered at the 2009 Sundance Film Festival.

"Passing Strange" tells the story of a young black man from Los Angeles, on the verge of adulthood, rebelling against a loving, church-going family and breaking out on his own in the early 80s to express himself as an artist and search for "the real" in Amsterdam and Berlin. Nuanced, funny and sincere, it is a coming-of-age tale that also explores the limits of cultural identity and artistic integrity. Charles Isherwood of the The New York Times said: "[Passing Strange] is far richer in wit, feeling and sheer personality than most of what is classified as musical theater these days...Call it a rock concert with a story to tell, trimmed with a lot of great jokes...I'll just call it wonderful."

"I love rock musicals in general, but this one is special," says director Brown. "Its influences are rock 'n roll, punk rock, soul, cabaret music and show tunes. When I saw this story, I was compelled to direct it not only because I related to it, but because I think it's a universal story that anyone and everyone can relate to. The songs and storyline audiences will see in our staging will be consistent with those of the Tony Award-winning production, but Stew has given us his blessing to make it our own so that the production will resonate even more deeply with Chicago audiences."

Bailiwick Chicago's "Passing Strange" will feature Jayson "JC" Brooks, acclaimed for his performance as Coalhouse Walker in Porchlight's "Ragtime," as the narrator, the role originated by Stew. The rest of the cast includes LaNisa Frederick, Sharriese Hamilton, Aaron Holland, Osiris Khepera, Steven Perkins and Whitney White. Also featured: JC Brooks & The Uptown Sound, a Chicago-based post-punk/soul band that has been lauded by the New York Times, Chicago Tribune, Time Out Chicago and the Chicago Sun-Times and features Ben Taylor (bass), Billy Bungeroth (guitar), Kevin Marks (drums), and guest musician David Keller (piano/guitar/cello).

Joining director Lili-Anne Brown on the production team staff is Jimmy Morehead (music director), Patrick Bley (sound design), John Holt (set design), Jared Moore (lighting design), and Matthew Guthier (costumes). Stage manager is Katie Faltus and Varris Holmes assistant directs.