The website, which went live Dec. 18, now features the song "Arlington Hill" available for free download. With a score by Stew and Heidi Rodewald, Passing Strange also provides the songs "Keys" and "Come Down Now" for download at www.PassingStrangeOnBroadway.com. (The musical also has profiles on MySpace and Facebook.)
Stew performs "Arlington Hill," with "Keys" performed by actress de'Adre Aziza, Stew, Heidi Rodewald and the ensemble; "Come Down Now" is performed by actress Rebecca Naomi Jones, Stew, Rodewald and the Passing Strange ensemble.
Passing Strange will launch an expanded site with additional content Feb. 7 – the day before Broadway previews begin.
With the aid of director and collaborator Annie Dorsen, Passing Strange incorporates autobiographical elements of Stew's life to tell the story of a young black bohemian who leaves behind his middle-class, church-ruled upbringing in Los Angeles to travel the world in search of his artistic and personal identity.
Embracing the theatrical art from within a rock setting – Passing Strange has found legions of fans, among them some of New York's toughest critics. "At the core, I think the theatre community is interested in words, in unique stories and language. And we have found that with our weird little rock songs, that they actually get them and appreciate them," Stew told Playbill.com at a recent press event. The new musical, produced for Broadway by the Shubert Organization, Inc., Elizabeth Ireland McCann and the Public Theater, will officially open Feb. 28.
The complete cast includes de'Adre Aziza, Daniel Breaker, Eisa Davis, Colman Domingo, Chad Goodridge, Rebecca Naomi Jones and the musical's co-creator, Stew. Passing Strange co-author Heidi Rodewald heads an onstage band that features Stew as well as Jon Spurney, Christian Cassan and Christian Gibbs.
Passing Strange features choreography by Karole Armitage, scenic design by David Korins, costume design by Elizabeth Hope Clancy and lighting design by Kevin Adams.
Tickets, now on sale, are available by calling (212) 239-6200 or by visiting www.TeleCharge.com. The box office at the Belasco is also now open for business.
For further information visit www.PassingStrangeOnBroadway.com.
