The Young Vic Theatre today announces casting for the European premiere of the electrifying Tony, Drama Desk and Critics Circle Award-winning rock musical Passing Strange.
Directed by Liesl Tommy (Aretha Franklin biopic Respect, Tony nominated Eclipsed), this new production of the hit Broadway show follows a young musician as he sets out on a musical odyssey, through 80s L.A, Amsterdam and Berlin. It features book and lyrics by Stew, music by Stew Stewart and Heidi Rodewald. Previews begin at the Young Vic from 14 May with opening night for press on 21 May and it runs until 6 July.
Giles Terera, best known for his Olivier Award winning role as Aaron Burr in the original London cast of Hamilton plays Narrator; Rachel Adedeji, seen in the leading role of Funmi in the BAFTA winning series Dreaming Whilst Black plays Mother and Keenan Munn-Francis, recently recognised in 2023 British Independent Film Awards Breakthrough Performance longlist for Black Dog, plays Youth. The cast is completed by Renée Lamb (Six the Musical) as Desi/Sherry/Renata, David Albury (Get Up Stand Up! The Bob Marley Musical) as Rev Jones/Terry/Christophe/Hugo, Caleb Roberts (Tina: The Tina Turner Musical) as Mr Franklin/Joop/Mr Venus, and Nadia Violet Johnson (School of Rock) as Edwina/Marianna/Sudabey.
The band is Ikechukwu Onwuagbu (Bass), Nick Pinchbeck (Keyboards/Guitar), James Taylor (Drums) and Art Terry (Keyboards/Guitar).
The creative team brings together Set and Costume Designer Ben Stones, Lighting Designer Richard Howell, Sound Designer Tom Gibbons, Video Designer Will Duke, Musical Supervisor Brandon Michael Nase, Musical Director Art Terry, Choreographer Dickson Mbi, Voice and Dialect Coach Hazel Holder and Casting Director Heather Basten CDG.
This marks the European premiere of Passing Strange which took Broadway by storm in 2008, receiving seven Tony Award nominations, winning for Best Book of a Musical; seven Drama Desk Award nominations, winning for Outstanding Musical, Outstanding Lyrics and Outstanding Music; and it was named winner of the Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Musical.