Passing Strange To Close On Broadway July 20

Lots of Passing Strange in the news these days, and unfortunately the latest isn't good. The new musical, which transferred to Broadway earlier this year following a successful Public Theater run, has been struggling ever since it hit Broadway. Although it did well during awards season, Passing Strange failed to nab the big prize, the Tony Award, which was probably its last shot at getting a significant surge in ticket sales. As a result, the exciting rock musical by Stew and Heidi Rodewald will be ending its Broadway run at the Belasco Theatre on July 20 (the day after Spike Lee does his live filming of the show).

Broadway's Passing Strange Filming July 19

It has been confirmed that Spike Lee will indeed be filming the Broadway production of Passing Strange, and he will be doing it quite soon - on July 19. Lee will capture both the matinee and evening shows that day, and then record two more performances without the audience later on. How the filmed version of Passing Strange will eventually be distributed has not yet been decided. When Broadway shows are taped for release, they usually turn up on cable or on PBS, but the Passing Strange producers have not ruled out the possibility of a releasing it in movie theaters.

Broadway's Passing Strange To Be Filmed

Entertainment Weekly is reporting that acclaimed director Spike Lee is going to film the Broadway production of the musical Passing Strange later this month. He will film three performances at the Belasco Theatre, one in front of a live Broadway audience and two without an audience. Reportedly Passing Strange's producers are financing the taping, and the plan is to eventually air it on cable.

Broadway's Passing Strange Celebrates Cast Recording Release At Listening Party Tomorrow

Passing Strange, the new Broadway musical that is already racking up awards right and left, will celebrate the release of its original Broadway cast album on iTunes tomorrow at a listening party being held at Saju Bistro. Saju Bistro is located at 120 W. 44th Street, right across from the Belasco Theatre where Passing Strange plays. Fans and the general public are welcome to join Passing Strange's cast, crew, and creative team at the (free) party, which will commence at 9:30pm on Tuesday, May 27, immediately following the 7pm performance of the show. Passing Strange's Broadway cast recording is being released on iTunes tomorrow as a "Digital Exclusive Release," and will be available on CD in July.

August: Osage County and Passing Strange Top List of Drama Desk Winners

The Drama Desk Awards, which honor the best shows and performers on Broadway, Off-Broadway, and Off-Off-Broadway, were held last night. August: Osage County took Best Play, Passing Strange won for Best Musical, and the top revival awards went to Boeing-Boeing and South Pacific. Gypsy nabbed three performance awards, for Patti Lupone, Laura Benanti, and Boyd Gaines. As expected Cry-Baby won for its excellent choreography, The 39 Steps won Unique Theatrical Experience, and Sunday in the Park with George got an award for its clever video/projection design. Best Music and Best Lyrics went to Passing Strange, while Best Book of a Musical was awarded to Xanadu.

Broadway Openings, Extensions, and Transfers

There is lots of movement on Broadway this week. The Broadway revival of the musical Sunday in the Park with George has announced a second extension -- it is now set to finish its Broadway run on June 15. The London production of Macbeth starring Patrick Stewart, which is playing a limited engagement at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, is going to come to Broadway for a run in the Lyceum Theatre (where the Broadway play Is He Dead? currently lives) from March 28 through May 24. And the new Broadway musical Passing Strange officially opens at the Belasco Theatre tonight.

Passing Strange Begins Broadway Performances

Following a much-buzzed-about Off-Broadway run at the Public Theater, the new rock musical Passing Strange starts its Broadway preview period tonight. Writer/performer Stew narrates the semi-autobiographical tale of a young man from middle class L.A. who travels to Europe in search of himself. Passing Strange will have its official Broadway opening at the Belasco Theatre on February 28.

Passing Strange Coming To Broadway

Passing Strange, the new musical by singer/songwriter Stew and Heidi Rodewald, will be coming to Broadway's Belasco Theatre in February '08. The show, which is about a young black man's journey from middle class life in L.A. to the wilds of Amsterdam and Berlin, had a successful Off-Broadway run earlier this year at the Public Theater. The entire original cast will reprise their roles for the Broadway production, which will have its official Broadway opening on February 28.