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Passing Strange Reviews
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| 16 |
#1 Musical on Broadway - without a doubt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Review by: Prof, May 13, 2008 |
Go Now!!....Run to experience a rare theatrical experience!! Fantastic music, phenomenal acting, with universal themes that touch, move, inspire. And let's not forget the humor.....This show is funny and invigorating. The show stimulates thought provoking ideas and discussions. It is smart, hip, and ROCKS!! The music, choreography, lighting, story line - All of that
make this a great musical and I predict a classic in the
history ... read more of musical theater. Definitely groundbreaking!!
We plan to see it again.....I hope the cast album comes
out soon!! Thank you for this Broadway treasure!
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 17 |
"Passing Strange" Review by: Tom, May 12, 2008 |
"Slaves have options -- Escape. Revolt. Death. Cowards have only consequences."
Hearing those words, Youth, the character at the center of "Passing Strange" makes the decision to leave his relatively comfortable middle-class African-American lifestyle and head to Europe to seek a different culture, a place where the boundaries American culture places on black people will have less effect on him. Youth is the younger alter ego of Stew, the ... read more musician who created "Passing Strange" to tell his unique (and compelling) story.
Throughout his adolescence, Stew/Youth was an outsider in virtually every aspect of his life, possessing not merely the ordinary teenage outsider angst, but also being black but not "ghetto," smart but living in a milieu that doesn't appreciate his sort of intellect, and musically-gifted but unappreciated. So, in search of a community where he can invent a new life for himself, Stew heads to Amsterdam and Berlin, where he falls in with various groups seeking enlightenment through drugs, sex, rock and roll and art. Especially art. As one character says to him, "when we are in the presence of art, we are taking the cure."
As many of the ads for today's pharmaceutical cures say, "Passing Strange" is "not for everyone." But you don't need to ask your doctor if "Passing Strange" is right for you -- just send me a message and I'll let you know if the show will cure any of your specific ills.
Personally, I loved it. There are many very funny scenes, especially the dialogues between Youth and his Mother (she speaks in a standard, Midwestern sort of way most of the time, but dips into a black dialect when she wants to reprimand or cajole him), and the art performances Stew sees/participates in in Berlin. The wall of colored light that appears when the scene shifts to Amsterdam is bold and adds a needed boost of visual energy.
More of a rock opera than a musical, "Passing Strange" actually tells its story through songs, rather than using songs to embellish moments within a story. It's loud and colorful and smart and entertaining and performed with passion and vigor by Stew and his excellent cast. Most important, it has a real soul at its core, a singular vision being expressed -- something Broadway too often lacks.
By Tom Bestor |
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Go now ! Review by: charlie, May 9, 2008 |
| This is one of the most urbane and innovative pieces of musical theatre around ! Urbane because of the fine poetic lyrics, innovative because of the format and mucical settings. 6 extremely talented performers, a narrator, 4 fine musicians and a light should that amazes. Go now! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 19 |
Amazing music. Great story. More like a cool rock concert than a B'Way show. Review by: Kirby, Apr 30, 2008 |
I just saw this tonight (4/30) - didn't know I was going - a friend had an extra ticket. I had never even heard of this show but I'm SO GLAD I WENT. I am almost always disappointed in everthing I've seen on Broadway for the past 10 years, but this show is like a rock concert with a funny and sad story BRILLIANTLY acted. If you like amazing rock and funk music, amazing talented actors and concert-like effects, GO SEE THIS! I'm afraid the ... read more tourists won't like it, it's too cool for them so I don't know how long it will be there, so you should see it soon. Look, I hate EVERYTHING. But, this is so good. Perfect for music lovers and humorists. Not good for kids under 16.
P.S. Many of the cast members from "THE HEIGHTS" were sitting around me and they were cheering, crying, and going crazy. I even cried when at the end! |
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I saw this show with:
Business Associate
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Tourists, Adults
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Unexpected Joy!!!!!! Review by: Woodstock Grandma, Apr 27, 2008 |
| Saw the show at yesterday's(4/26/08) matinee. I purchased the tickets for mysister and myself after reading some good things about the show online and reading a review in Timeout mag. I wasn't sure really what to expect. When we first entered the theater and saw the stage setup we still were unsure but from the opening song to the final scene we were enthralled. The music and lyrics were excellent; the cast outstanding; the narration funny, ... read more poignant and at times mindblowing. WE LOVED THIS SHOW!!!!! We couldn't stop talking about it when we left the theater and talked all during the train ride home to the Island, over dinner and are still talking about it today! I was on the phone to friends this morning telling them you HAVE to see this show!!! I am ordering tickets today for my daughter and plan on seeing it again myself. |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Very Strange Review by: SuRu, Apr 27, 2008 |
Indeed STRANGE!
Saw the show yesterday. Lots of talent, but what are they talking about? Can't hear the dialogue over the din of the intruments. The audience was less than enthusiastic. Many left at halftime. Understandably, lots of young people in audience --$25 tickets. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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The Best Musical on Broadway!!!!!! What a Wonderful Ride!!! Review by: LC, Apr 26, 2008 |
What a fantastic musical and so unique and original! I've
never seen anything quite like it on Broadway and this
is the best musical I've seen in many years. I didn't
know what to expect and was joyously surprised. We plan
to see it again AND we paid top price for the tickets and
would do it again. Passing Strange is funny, exhuberant has beautiful music,phenomenal acting, a memorable story and inventive set design and ... read more lighting. I was blown away by its originality. It's full of heart and touched my heart.
What a wonderful surprise!!!!!!!!!!!!! Run to see it!!!!!!
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My recommendation:
must see!
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The Unanimous Reviews Are Right - The Number #1 Musical on Broadway!!!!!!!!!! Review by: VLaury, Apr 25, 2008 |
This is unequivocally the best rock musical theater since Hair!!! Passing Strange will make history as a turning
point as to how we view Broadway musicals. This is not
your traditional Broadway show. It is totally unique - it touches the heart, awakens the soul, and excites your mind.
It is truly mind-blowing musical theater and it can
transform your life. The music is outstanding - the story
is moving and thought provoking.... read more. It's a story and a journey that we can all identify with, and the cast is phenomenal.....Wow, Wow, Wow!!!!! This will rock your
senses and stay with you for a very long time. Thank
you, Broadway, for this treat!!!
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My recommendation:
must see!
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Large Group
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| 24 |
Do not waste your time and money Review by: , Apr 24, 2008 |
| I see that there is alot of favorable reviews but I have to say it was one of the worst plays I have ever seen. Story hard to follow, music is good but that is about it. I never wrote a review before but felt I should pass this on to others. We were ages 14-mid 40s and we all agreed that the play just was not good. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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| 25 |
The Reviews are Right!!!! A Fantastic Theater Experience - You'll love it!!!!! Review by: Prody, Apr 22, 2008 |
What a refreshing change on Broadway!! I didn't expect
what I saw.....it far exceeded my expectations even though
the unanimous reviews I read about the show were
over-the-top raves! Passing Strange is a a theater
experience that will stay with you on a very deep level.
It has beautiful music,humor, innovative staging and set
design, a moving story, and an absolutely incredible
and gifted cast - who perform multiple ... read more roles...they are
amazing. Stew is phenomenal and his music touches you
on different levesls. The show has all the elements of
outstanding and first class theater. I wish the show
a long life and many years at the Belasco. Run to see
this show....You Won't be disappointed!!!
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Large Group
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Recommended for:
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| 26 |
GO NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Review by: Robin, Apr 17, 2008 |
| I saw Passing Strange yesterday and I thought it was brilliant!This is what Broadway should be about. It's risky, funny, well written, has great music , great cast and a great script. It's a MUST SEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! |
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must see!
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Tourists
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| 27 |
Best show this season!!! Review by: EmCee14, Apr 15, 2008 |
| Great score, great acting, great show. GO SEE IT!!! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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| 28 |
Don't waste your money Review by: , Apr 14, 2008 |
| I hated, hated, hated this. I didn't find it original at all, and don't understand the people who found it a life-changing experience.
There was no wit to it, no art, no elegance. It was a crass and tasteless embarrassing experience. I'm so upset I wasted $60 after doing all the research and being told this was so phenomenal. Yuck. |
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My recommendation:
Don't go
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Passing Strange...Best thing on Broadway!!! Review by: Chris, Apr 10, 2008 |
| I just saw 5 different shows this past weekend (including Spring Awakening & Sunday in the Park) & Passing Strange is the boldest & freshest thing on Broadway! The cast is unbelievably talented & the the music is infectious. It's part rock concert/part touching drama/part completely original. Give this show a chance...you WON'T be disappointed! I can't stop telling everyone I know about this show. MUST SEE!!! |
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Spouse/Partner
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Recommended for:
Romantic Date, Business Assoc., Tourists
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| 30 |
Review by: Assata, Mar 30, 2008 |
Absolutely mind blowing experience. I have never seen any performance or story told in such an interesting and creative manner.
I saw the show this afternoon 3.30.2008.Everything from the story to the narration(by STEW) to the music moved me...I have been thinking about it all afternoon and evening. I have already made plans to see it again with a different friend.I am going to tell everyone I know that they must see this production.
I ... read more have been convinced that this is theater at its best. I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to see it. I would encourage anyone reading to make the move quickly. I have been changed. I have been moved....truly!
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My recommendation:
must see!
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I saw this show with:
Family
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Recommended for:
Anyone
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| * Review is an opinion of a BroadwayBox user and not that of BroadwayBox.com and BroadwayBox, Inc. |
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