Los Angeles finally sees "Passing Strange" at Pasadena Playhouse after 22‑year wait

Passing Strange makes its long‑awaited Los Angeles debut at the Pasadena Playhouse, under the direction of Tony‑winning director Zhailon Levingston. The rock musical first opened on Broadway in 2007 and collected Tony, Drama Desk and New York Drama Critics’ Circle awards. Creators Stew and Heidi Rodewald, former members of the Los Angeles band the Negro Problem, never perform in the new run; Colman Domingo, who played a supporting role on Broadway, is also absent, though his performance appears in Spike Lee’s film version. The show, noted for putting social and racial issues front and for using a live on‑stage band, has toured major cities worldwide, including South America and Europe, but it skipped its home city for 22 years. Levingston, who earned this year’s Tony for best direction of a musical for “Cats: The Jellicle Ball,” said giving the piece a SoCal premiere was a top priority. Stew described the work as “3 a.m. music,” a term he uses for the Negro Problem and the musical, meaning it is meant for a niche audience rather than mainstream profit. He recalled their early club version called “Travelogue” at venues like Joe’s Pub, and how the Public Theater eventually invited them to turn it into a full play after three refusals. The duo recalled moving from Los Angeles to New York around 2000, receiving a $10,000 advance from Lenny Waronker which they used to fund their own record rather than a label demo. They note that theater backers provided steady support unlike the volatile record industry. ## Context The Pasadena production closes a decades‑long gap between the creators’ Southern‑California roots and the show’s first performance in their hometown, highlighting how a rock‑driven musical can eventually break through regional barriers despite early resistance from local press.