Passing Strange - 2008 Tony Awards

[treehuggrgirl]

This looks so good; I'm sad that I never got a chance to see it.

And is that Rebecca Naomi Jones (from American Idiot) dancing in the background?

[spendleb]

@treehuggrgirl Yes it is Rebecca. Love this show, listen to it constantly, amazing!

[leojbramble]

@lemonbutterslice: ah, thanks a lot. Makes sense, I'd seen an appreciation of Stew's music that he'd written online and knew that he was a big fan, but didn't know him or CC's music at all.

[leojbramble]

Who's the guy doing the intro? Anyone know?

[lemonbutterslice]

@leojbramble main singer of the Counting Crows me thinks

[badrice]

It's a very beautiful show. i'm very grateful spike lee preserved it for the masses to enjoy.

[5934931]

I saw this film on PBS when they showed it for "Greater Performances"..and I became completely obsessed!! I am definitely getting this on DVD

[hatershateme202]

probably one of the realest plays i have ever seen

[1germanbeatbox]

it's really not the same at all. Passing Strange is a story of one person's self-development

[Auntkekebaby]

This is such a brilliant musical. ..gotta get the movie on DVD

[bandaide2012]

just saw the movie version of this and met Stew. when i saw the tony performance in 08 i wasnt that impressed but after seeing the whole show, it really is an amazing production! and Stew was so nice!!

[DorkTownHero]

I saw this live and it was amazing!

[MrQwaazga]

I don't go out of my way looking for musicals I want to see. But when "Passing Strange" comes to the movies I might see it.

[clopezsparrow]

gahhhh LOVE daniel breaker.

i just saw him in Shrek as the donkey &he was hilarious.

[beckyj819]

Who's the actress who sings "My Keys"? Has she done any other shows?

[aasjb4ever]

@beckyj819 That's De'Adre Aziza, and she's back at the Belasco Theatre now in Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown with Sherie Rene Scott, Patti LuPone, Laura Benanti and Brian Stokes Mitchell

[jasonabroussard]

I was lucky enough to see the premier of Spike Lee's filming of this at SXSW the other night. I had never even heard of this musical until that night. The film was amazing, i couldn't even imagine seeing that live..

[dramadrama6694]

i saw this live and I have to say ... it was good but I felt like it was trying to feel like Rent in a way. *hides from all the attacks that will come* I'm not a big fan of rent to begin with but still this seemed like such a knockoff from it.

[monicaberry73]

Have you seen Rent or Passing Strange? The stories are completely different. I will give it to you that there are some similar musical sounds, but content wise they couldn't be more different.

[dramadrama6694]

i have seen both and i still feel that musically they have similar elements. I am not saying that the story lines are identical. I am merely saying that they are both geared towards the whole "bohemian i'm broke and living in new york" kind of feel.

[5934931]

actually i believe they are very different. even the music is. This show has nothing to do with being broke...he saves money to move to europe to "find himself" or whatnot. Rent is more about surviving and relationships..I also believe Passing Strange is better. but don't get me wrong, i also like Rent

[ducklvr99]

what i hate about this is that i saw the musical in berkeley before it went to broadway and it was absolutely incredible. i was totally blown away, i am a theater student at ucla, so i have seen a ton of great shows and a ton of bad ones and this defiantly fits in the great portion of that... yet this song is great in context but not too great to show themselves off at the tony awards... i dunno. i absolutely loved the show, but wasnt super impressed by their performance here.

[gutterpins5]

I used to go to NP shows in their Spaceland days/Silverlake. Stew is such a phenomenal talent and their shows were always ridiculously good.

I could pick this scene apart for several things including the shoddy female lead's accent--unnecessary--but since I haven't seen the play, I don't think that's fair. I also plain think it's important to give him kudos for getting his show to Broadway in the first place. I can't wait for the next TNP record, and wish him, Heidi, and crew the best.

[futureactor132]

its good music..but just not the best idea for a musical..and not the best song for the tony awards...

[guitarfreak429]

thank you...i always hated it when people would spam what my own opinion was if it was negative...that just shows close mindedness to opinions from other people. I only spam offensive comments, but even "it wasnt very good" doesnt strike me as a comment that should be spammed.

[bumumu]

im sorry but this is so bad in so many ways

[guitarfreak429]

i saw this on broadway...dont spam my personal opinion please.

i disliked it...the music felt disjunct and not smooth, and the show itself was uninteresting...plus my own personal taste...i dont like stews voice.

[basilylove]

I have to say i loved the show. but again i think every show boils down to everyone's personal taste. im glad that this actual says why you didnt like it instead of ignorant people saying "its stupid" and not giving it another thought

[meepses]

i actually saw this on Broadway.

It was much better and practically mind blowing :p

But this is pretty good too :]

[ViveLeFrance98]

yea this is not good

[jjack51]

i wanna be in this show

[BroadwayFairy]

This was super cool. I think this show won best script.

[VDizzle523]

Best show ever is right. you really need to hear all the music to make the full experince.

[xGossipxoGirlx]

how is it like Spring Awakening. It just takes place in Amsterdam but it doesn't seem too alike it.

[iamadramastudent]

forgive me for saying that i think this looks so close to Spring Awakening for me to see it as original.....also what is with the woman with the keys accent?!?!?

also what is with writers being in their shows at the moment?!?! ITH...and this?!

[eponinesyndrome]

it's not 'in the moment'. the narrator is narrating his story from the past.

and it is NOTHING like spring awakening lol. nothing at all

[boodass]

yeah not at all s.a.

but, agreed, her accent is atrocious

[drunksalami22]

i just don't get this

maybe just a bad segment to see....

[drunksalami22]

this sucks....

[BellatrixNellieLovet]

I LOOOVEE the girl who sings "My Keys..."

Shes amazing and adorbale

[djmike120287]

I saw the show on Broadway in May and I still haven't forgotten the music or stopped loving it just as much as I did when I saw it.

That being said, this performance didn't seem to be the greatest. Passing Strange music doesn't really translate well unless you see the show in my opinion. There is so so so so much that goes on that you have to see in order to fully appreciate and understand the music.

Make sure you see this show. It's truly awesome.

[ACamPT]

damn straight

best show ever

[Hendrix556]

Stew is AMAZING! I love passing strange but i dont feel like one song can really ssummerize the show. u kinda have 2 see the whole thing.

[allauramun]

I think this jumpy choreography is better than spring awakening's because when they jump it seems as if they move to beat more and they move their arms and jump to certain spots but when i see spring awakening's dance they're just jumping around with no choreography that i can see. I like both shows but I didn't really like spring awakenings choreography.

[drsuecomedian]

Love this video! For interview with Stew, please visit my webcast of Obie Awards on YouTube: Creative Conversations with Dr. Sue

[jumpoff988]

Its not goin to be a film directed by spike lee. Its just goin to be a recored Performance filmed by him

[renethel]

Passing Strange? really? i don't see how it will translate to film. just with the band interacting with others, will that even make sense on screen?

[bwaygurl105]

I agree. They are going to film one of the performances. I can't wait to see it. =]

[Jentany]

Wow, absolutely wonderful music and lyrics.

[alyslikesfao]

Are there any versions of this without the intro?

[Caputo1994]

1:58-1:59

so take mine NOW!!!!!!

LOL i was laughing so hard!!!!

[samsmaria]

what i'm trying to say is i can understand the comparison to spring awakening.

[SeanKelley184]

i hate stu i dont get this at all it is really annoying so glad it did not win!

[renethel]

what did Stu ever do to you for you to hate him, SeanKelley184?

[SeanKelley184]

are you stu? i think not so buzz off

[renethel]

seriously, how are old are you....12?

*looks at profile and finds out real age of user*

wow you really need to grow up if that's how you act for your age.

if none of us are Stu and you are talking about him to us, then shouldn't WE ALL buzz off? hmmmm

[iAmDiVA321]

SEE THIS SHOW.

I've never been so effected by anything onstage

[BroadwayFREAK1515]

something about it isn't catching my attention...maybe i need to spend some more time with the concept...but it sounds like it's a good cd!!!

[alyslikesfao]

The "It's all right" choreography reminded me of Totally F*cked from spring awakening, as well.

[samsmaria]

I totally get what you're saying. I see it too.

[theartfuldodger5]

I don't get what Passing Strange has to do with Spring Awakining. The music is completeley different and so it the plot. The only simularity I see is the jumping around.

[phillieboy]

I can see why people would link them... the set up is quite similar.. the band and performers on the stage integrated together... the background is kind of neon like some of spring awakening.. but none the les... I like spring awakening much better... I do not understand passing strange at all.

[tbone71491]

never said it has to be original to be amazing, that is what the advertisements claim. im glad it changed your life, im sure that was great...but as i said, to each his own.

[tbone71491]

i dont get why they say this is so original (and i think it looks awesome!) but it appears to be really quite similar to spring awakening?? do they think theyre being innovative my using hand held mics and an onstage band??? lol but nevertheless looks like a brilliant show!

[doofibassist]

handheld mikes arent what makes a show original.

just putting that out there.

i've seen both passing strange and spring awakening. passing strange changed my life.

[littlepipandcowbell]

Spring Awakening = Overrated and Uninspired

Passing Strange = Amazing.

[tbone71491]

first of all, spring awakening is so not overrated nor is it uninspired!

and secondly, i cant disagree with what you said about passing strange but i am just saying that, from what i can tell from clips, songs, acting, and the plot...i do not think this show is all that original...

if you disagree; to each his own. this is just what im saying....

[doofibassist]

since when does something have to be original to be amazing and life-changing?

the plot is not complicated at all, but somehow it manages to move you more than spring awakening ever could. daniel breaker's performance as youth is spellbinding, and stew's kickass narration is something never seen before on broadway. that much is true.

[renethel]

How is Spring Awakening, a show that:

1. sends out an important message

2. has a beautiful, enticing and well as electric and exciting score

3.has POSITIVELY affected people

overrated and uninspired, exactly?

[alyslikesfao]

This is so great!!!!!! "It's All Right" is my favorite!

[monstaway]

Its all right! The lead man has an amazing voice and the song is fantastic and powerful. Unbelievable work.