New Line's 'Passing Strange' Features Sex, Drugs and Self-Discovery

The story of a young man undertaking a journey of self-discovery is as old as theater itself. But “Passing Strange,” being presented by New Line Theatre in , breathes new life into the old device by telling the story almost entirely in music.

The show incorporates rock, punk, funk and gospel, leaving no musical stone unturned as the hero, Youth, searches for “the real.”

The show features book and lyrics by Stew (formerly known as Mark Stewart), who leads the group Stew and the Negro Problem, with orchestrations by Stew and Heidi Rodewald. The show opened on Broadway in 2008 and has garnered seven Tony nominations, three Drama Desk awards and the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Musical.

We follow Youth from black middle-class America to Amsterdam, Berlin and back again on his journey through sex, drugs and rock and roll. The story is told through vignettes, and the fine ensemble cast plays all the roles as Narrator comments on the action. In director Scott Miller's very capable hands, the show is poignant at times, angry at others, sometimes warm and very often hilarious.

Two words in the book are used often: construct and key. That's apropos because Youth is constructing experiences that will help him understand life and himself. That knowledge—he thinks—will be the key to happiness, understanding and a meaningful existence.

Charles Glenn is strong as Narrator. His singing voice is great, commanding and intriguing. Keith Parker, while perhaps lacking the life experience to truly commit to the acting side of things, nevertheless shines as Youth with an outstanding singing voice that is more than exceptional.

The ensemble cast members all have their moments to shine, and they take them with authority. Talichia Noah (Mother) plays the everymom as she struggles to raise the son she thinks all sons should be and to reach through the curtain he's drawn around himself. Jeanitta Perkins takes full advantage of a variety of roles, and of every singing opportunity she is given, with her strong voice.

Andrea Purnell steals the Amsterdam segment (how Youth could ever leave her, I do not know), and both John Reed II and Cecil Washington Jr. are strong, especially when the story moves to Berlin. When the ensemble sings together in harmony, it is very impressive, and I found myself wishing the show had more of it.

As always, the New Line band is superb while it plays through a great variety of music styles. Justin Smolik (piano, conductor), D. Mike Bauer (Guitar), Aaron Doerr (Guitar), Dave Hall (Bass) and Clancy Newell (Percussion) are tight and skilled.

Designers Amy Kelly (costumes), Todd Schaefer (Scene), Kenneth Zinkl (Sound) and Donald Smith all contribute their special talents to the success of the production.

Once again, artistic director Scott Miller has assembled a first-rate cast and designers to bring us theater that explores more complicated themes in unique ways. While “Passing Strange” features an all-African American cast, the story is really one about all of us in our youth, when we wonder what we are and what we will become and how exactly we will fit into the great construct—life itself.