Rebecca: We are
not constantly being black people. We are being people. Whether or not we're
playing the black characters or the white characters – we're being human beings
with real energies and thoughts spinning between us. In terms of it being a black musical, I think
it's a gift for minority audiences.
Eisa: No
matter where you go, you're going to be assaulted with an image on a magazine
cover that says "This is how you're supposed to look." But there are so many
kinds of beautiful that don't appear on a TV screen. That's what I feel like
we're doing. In some ways, I'm hoping the challenge Stew mentioned will be an
excited challenge. Like that moment when you go from Jimmy Stewart to Marlon
Brando! What we also have on the stage (which we haven't talked about) is that
we're circled by white musicians. That's really important. Toni Morrison said:
"There's no black without white. There's no white without black." These
categories we've created don't function without each other.
Stew: It's weird
that we're even having this conversation in 2008. Wow! Black and white, who'd have thought?
After all this time and after all this art for so many years, we still play
this game.
Eisa: It's at
this moment where we're in the middle of a presidential race where
identity-politics is playing a role. We're so behind in not having had a female
head-of-state or a non-white head-of-state. The fact that those issues are
priorities when they should be second-rate. These issues are coming up again
and again.
Eugene: If you can, use one or two words what
you want your audience to feel when they leave the Belasco.
Eisa: "Split-Open."
Stew: Well,
that's it right there!
* * * * * * *
Passing Strange stars de'Adre Aziza, Daniel Breaker, Eisa Davis, Colman Domingo, Chad Goodridge, Rebecca Naomi Jones
and Stew. Directed by Annie Dorsen.
Passing Strange features a book by Stew; lyrics by Stew; music by
Stew and Heidi Rodewald; written in collaboration with Annie Dorsen. Choreographed by Karole Armitage. The
creative team includes David Korins (sets), Elizabeth Hope Clancy (costumes),
Kevin Adams (lighting) and Tom Morse (sound).
Passing Strange performs Tuesdays at 7PM; Wednesdays - Saturdays at
8PM; Wednesday & Saturday matinees at 2PM; and Sundays at 3PM at the
Belasco Theatre (111 West 44th St).
For tickets ($26.50 - $111.50) visit www.Telecharge.com
or for more information visit the show's new interactive website at www.PassingStrangeOnBroadway.com
Daniel Breaker and de'Adre Aziza (photo by Steve Halin); Daniel Breaker (photo by Carol Rosegg)
