PlayhouseSquare and Baldwin-Wallace College will partner to present the regional premiere of Passing Strange at PlayhouseSquare's 14th Street Theatre April 29 - May 1. Tickets are only $10 and $20, and are on sale now at The PlayhouseSquare Ticket Office, by calling 216-241-6000, or online at playhousesquare.org
With lyrics and book by Stew and music by Stew and
Heidi Rodewald, this vibrant and compelling rock musical features current students in the Baldwin-Wallace Music Theatre Program under the direction of nationally acclaimed director
Victoria Bussert. This is the fourth year for the collaboration between PlayhouseSquare, the B-W Music Theatre Program and the B-W Arts Management Program.
In 2008, Bussert and PlayhouseSquare brought the regional premiere of Brooklyn to Cleveland, in 2009, the first production of [title of show] outside of New York, and in 2010, the London Stage Version of Chess. Bussert is taking on this project after finishing up a highly successful in-repertory production of La Bohème and RENT at Baldwin-Wallace College, the first such offering anywhere. "I was blown away by the parallels between Passing Strange and La Bohème / RENT," says Bussert. "In these productions, we follow the story of young bohemians as they search for the meaning behind their art as well as understanding how to find their authentic voices as artists."
Passing Strange is a coming of age story centering on a young musician, Youth, who goes on a journey to find "the real" through sex, drugs, and rock and roll. Loaded with soulful lyrics and overflowing with passion, this show takes us from black, middle-class America to Amsterdam, Berlin and beyond on a journey towards personal and artistic authenticity.
Passing Strange premiered at the Berkley Repertory Theatre on October 19, 2006. It was then produced Off-Broadway in 2007 at
The Public Theater in New York City. On February 28, 2008, Passing Strange opened on Broadway at the Belasco Theatre and closed after 165 performances on July 20. The New York Times raved over the production by stating that it is "bursting at the seams with melodic songs, and it features a handful of theatrical performances to treasure". The musical was nominated for seven Tony Awards, winning one for best book.
This production features a talented cast consisting of
Rod Lawrence and
Antwaun Holley double-cast as Youth, Jay Ellis as Narrator, and a strong supporting cast including Ciara Renée, Jessica Dyer,
Jude McCormick, Chris McCarrell, Alex Syiek, and Adrianna Cleveland. B-W junior Ryan Fielding Garrett is the music director.
PlayhouseSquare performances of Passing Strange are scheduled for Friday, April 29, at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, April 30, at 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 1, at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 and $20, and are available by calling 216-241-6000, online at
playhousesquare.org or at
The PlayhouseSquare Ticket Office. Parental discretion is advised.
ABOUT PLAYHOUSESQUARE
PlayhouseSquare is a not-for-profit performing arts center whose mission is presenting and producing a wide variety of quality performing arts, advancing arts education and creating a destination that is a superior location for entertainment, business and housing, thereby strengthening the economic vitality of the region.
ABOUT BALDWIN-WALLACE COLLEGE
Founded in 1845 in Berea, Ohio, Baldwin-Wallace College was among the first to admit students without regard to race or gender. That spirit of inclusiveness and innovation has involved into a distinctive educational experience that combines B-W's historical strengths in the liberal arts with vast opportunities for internships, field experiences, study abroad, leadership opportunities, community service and regular mentoring. The result is an individual four-year B-W Action Plan that produces graduates distinctively equipped to meet the challenges of a changing world.
Baldwin-Wallace is one of a few liberal arts colleges in the nation with an internationally respected Conservatory of Music. The College enrolls more than 3,000 undergraduate students in 50 academic programs, as well as 600 part-time evening/weekend and 800 graduate students.
ABOUT THE MUSIC THEATRE PROGRAM
Music Theatre performance training at Baldwin-Wallace College is among the finest in the nation, with a dynamic curriculum focused on mastering a wide range of acting, voice, and dance, as well as workshops and master classes by professional casting directors, agents, directors, choreographers, music directors and actors which prepare students for the business side of theatre. B-W performance faculty members maintain active professional careers, giving B-W students a decisive edge in a competitive marketplace. Current students perform professionally in greater Cleveland, nationally, and on Broadway. Graduating students perform a Senior Showcase attended by over 200 industry professionals, and an overwhelming majority of graduates sign with agents shortly afterward.
ABOUT THE ARTS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
The B-W Arts Management program, directed by Bryan Bowser, Assistant Director of the Conservatory for External Affairs, prepares students to integrate the artistic and business elements of a career in the arts. Graduates of this program look to careers in the marketing, public relations, development, operations, fundraising, curatorial, front-of-house and education departments of not-for-profit and for-profit arts organizations including symphony orchestras; theater, opera and ballet companies; private dance studios; art museums and galleries; national, state and local
Arts Councils; foundations; presenting organizations; concert venues; broadcast and cable television stations; film companies; and record labels. Students complete requirements in: business, an artistic discipline (music, theatre, dance or visual art) and arts management, including classes and internships. Program faculty include professionals from the field linking graduates directly to job and internship opportunities.
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