Berkeley Rep to Broadway, All the Way to Tony

Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s production of “Passing Strange,” which now shows on Broadway, has been nominated for seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, after it has already won four Audelco Awards and nominations for three Drama League Awards, three Lucille Lortel Awards, and one Outer Critics Circle Award. "From the beginning, we knew that Stew had something important to say in a fresh and unusual way, so it was an honor to support the development of Passing Strange and to host the world premiere,” said Tony Taccone, artistic director of Berkeley Rep. “These artists truly deserve recognition, and we're thrilled to have been a part of bringing this play to Broadway. As we celebrate Berkeley Rep's 40th birthday, it's gratifying to know that a wider audience is now enjoying the adventurous work that's been seen on our stage for years." Co-commissioned by Berkeley Rep and The Public Theater, Passing Strange is a rock musical that follows a young musician's journey - from '70s Los Angeles through free-loving Amsterdam to the anarchy of '80s Berlin - in his search to feel something Real. Winners of this year's Tony Awards will be announced on CBS during a nationwide broadcast on Sunday, June 15. The Passing Strange cast is expected to perform two songs during the ceremony: "Amsterdam" and "Keys." Few plays developed at Bay Area nonprofits have ever been nominated for Tony Awards. Passing Strange on Broadway. Book and lyrics by Stew; Music by Stew and Heidi Rodewald; Directed by and created in collaboration with Annie Dorsen; Designed by David Korins (sets), Elizabeth Hope Clancy (costumes), Kevin Adams (lights), Tom Morse (sound), and Karole Armitage (choreography); Starring de'Adre Aziza, Daniel Breaker, Eisa Davis, Colman Domingo, Chad Goodridge, Rebecca Naomi Jones, and Stew; Featuring a band with Christian Cassan, Christian Gibbs, Heidi Rodewald, and Jon Spurney. Produced by The Shubert Organization and Elizabeth Ireland McCann in association with Berkeley Repertory Theatre and The Public Theater. The Belasco Theater, 111 West 44th St. at 6th Ave., New York, NY 10036. Eight shows every week. Tickets and info:1-800-432-7250 or http://www.telecharge.com/
Berkeley Rep. 2008/09 season subscription is now open. It includes the world premiere of Itamar Moses' Yellowjackets and another collaboration from Ruhl and Waters: the world premiere of The Vibrator Play. For details, call 510.647.2949 or http://www.berkeleyrep.org/