Passing Strange is currently making its London debut at the Young Vic, with opening night set for May 21. Get a first look at the new production, running through July 6, with newly released production shots in the gallery below. Liesl Tommy is directing.
The cast is led by Giles Terera (Hamilton) as Narrator, Rachel Adedeji (Dreaming Whilst Black) as Mother, and Keenan Munn-Francis (Black Dog) as Youth. Also featured are David Albury as Rev Jones, Terry, Christophe, and Hugo; Nadia Violet Johnson as Edwina, Marianna, and Sudabey; Renée Lamb as Desi, Sherry, and Renata; and Caleb Roberts as Mr. Franklin, Joop, and Mr. Venus. Rounding out the company are understudies Stephenson Ardern-Sodje and Simone Robinson. Casting is by Heather Basten.
The production's band, led by music director Jerome van den Berghe on keyboards and guitar, features Ikechukwu Onwuagbu on bass, Pete Billington on keyboards and guitar, and JT Taylor on drums.
Giles Terera in Passing Strange
Giles Terera in Passing Strange
Rachel Adedeji in Passing Strange
Keenan Munn-Francis and Renée Lamb in Passing Strange
Renée Lamb, David Albury, and Keenan Munn-Francis in Passing Strange
Keenan Munn-Francis in Passing Strange
Giles Terera and David Albury in Passing Strange
Keenan Munn-Francis in Passing Strange
Nadia Violet Johnson,David Albury,Keenan Munn-Francis,Renee Lamb,Caleb Roberts, and Giles Terera in Passing Strange
Nadia Violet Johnson and Keenan Munn-Francis in Passing Strange
Company of Passing Strange
Nadia Violet Johnson in Passing Strange
Keenan Munn-Francis and Renee Lamb in Passing Strange
David Albury, Caleb Roberts, Nadia Violet Johnson, and Renée Lamb in Passing Strange
Giles Terera and company of Passing Strange
Rachel Adedeji in Passing Strange
Giles Terera, Keenan Munn-Francis, David Albury, and Renée Lamb in Passing Strange
The musical, following a young, Black musician on a quest to find himself, premiered on Broadway in 2008, featuring a book and lyrics by Stew and music by Stew and Heidi Rodewald. Stew won a 2008 Tony for his book.
The Young Vic's production features music supervision by Brandon Michael Nase, choreography by Dickson Mbi, set and costume design by Ben Stones, lighting design by Richard Howell, sound design by Tom Gibbons, video design by Will Duke, and wigs, hair, and makeup design by Suzanna Scotcher. Hazel Holder serves as voice and dialect coach.
Visit YoungVic.org.
