Face it, we all are seekers…seeking something or someone.
Stew a young black boy growing up in suburban Los Angeles is too seeking something…something he calls “the real”. Convinced, as most teenagers are, that all in his short life thus far has been anything but “real”, Stew is at a crossroad. Surrounded by phony, middle class church folks, a doting mother, young band mates who lack the courage to give “all” to the music, and a heavy dose of the teenage blahs, Stew believes in order to find “the real” he must leave LA . Following a drug induced moment of inspiration, Stew decides Europe is the place to be, so following in the footsteps of his childhood idols - James Baldwin, Josephine Baker and Chester Himes, he leaves behind all he has known and hops a flight to Amsterdam – just a boy, his guitar and a dream.
Enter the rockin’ world of the Broadway musical “Passing Strange”. The question poised in this semi – autobiographical musical is - if “the real” exists in music and art, why does it not seem to exist in life and what sacrifices must one make along the way toward that answer.
Written and narrated by the real life Stew (Mark Stewart), with the help of his longtime musical collaborator Heidi Rodewald of the band “The Negro Problem”, the grown up Stew takes a “trip” down memory lane and gets to re – examine the choices he made (or didn’t make) when he was a much younger man searching a dream.
The pure rock energy, soul, profound humanity, and brilliant cast are the elements that make “Passing Strange” unforgettable. A completely enjoyable musical full of great songs and deep insights this documentary version of the Tony award winning play filmed by Spike Lee during the final show at the Belasco Theater in 2008 is a must see!
“Passing Strange” is available now on DVD, so for those of us unfortunate souls who missed the Broadway production of “Passing Strange”…..as the song says ”It’s Alright” cause here is our chance to experience the brilliance that is ”Passing Strange”….and let play on and play on.
- Brian Phoenix
Brian Phoenix is host and producer of “Jazzism (a katzpheno mix)” a 60 minute Jazz music podcast available at iTunes.
