Salt Lake Acting Company proudly announces the cast and creative team for Passing Strange. The rock musical, which debuted on Broadway in 2008, makes its long-awaited Utah premiere at SLAC from April 6 through May 15, 2022.
A 2008 Tony Award and Drama Desk winner, Passing Strange is a poignant, one-of-a-kind storytelling experience from the minds of Stew, Heidi Rodewald, and Annie Dorsen. Through powerful music and soulful lyrics, Passing Strange transcends theatrical genres and follows a Black artist simply referred to as “Youth” around the world on a bohemian journey of self-discovery.
The production welcomes several SLAC veterans, as well as a few artists who are making their respective SLAC debuts. SLAC alum include Carleton Bluford* (The Overwhelming, Streetlight Woodpecker) who plays Youth; Latoya Cameron* (Four Women Talking About the Man Under the Sheet, The Cake), who joins the ensemble; and Dee-Dee Darby-Duffin (The Overwhelming, Mercury), who plays Mother.
Making their SLAC debuts are Lee Palmer* (Jitney, Congo Square Theatre; Two Trains Running, Goodman Theatre) as Narrator, as well ensemble players Brian Kinnard* (Broadway’s Rocktopia—Kinnard also understudies Narrator), Kandyce Marie (Aida International Broadway Tour), and Jamal A. Shuriah* (FX’s Pose—Shuriah understudies Youth).
Passing Strange will be directed and choreographed by Todd Underwood. Underwood is joined on the creative/production team by Alex Marshall (Musical Director/Keyboardist/Guitarist), Alec Powell (Associate Musical Director), Halee Rasmussen (Scenic Designer), Rebecca Luke** (Costume Designer), Jesse Portillo** (Lighting Designer), Erik Reichert (Props Designer/Construction Supervisor), Daniel Jacob Hill (Wig Designer), Sarah Shippobotham (Dialect Coach/Intimacy Coach), Theresa Martinez and Annie Isabel Fukushima (EDI Dramaturgs), Shelby Noelle Gist (Assistant Director), Alaina Kotchey (Assistant Set Designer), Bett Shouse (Assistant Costume Designer) Tanner Sase* (Assistant Stage Manager), and Alix Walburn (Covid Safety Manager). Jennie Sant* is Production Stage Manager.
Chris Curlett, Mack, and Taylor WallaceThe production will also feature three understudies through the Understudy Program at SLAC, each of whom has previously worked with the company. Chris Curlett (Harbur Gate) will understudy the role of Youth, as well as the male ensemble, Mack (#SLACabaret) will understudy Mother, and Taylor Wallace (SLAC’s NPSS Virtual Reading of Egress) will be understudy for the female ensemble.
The onstage band, under the musical direction of the aforementioned Marshall, will be composed of Andres Reyes (Guitarist/Keyboardist), Zaza Historia VanDyke (Bassist), and Wachira Waigwastone (Drummer).
Tickets for Passing Strange are now available by clicking the link above or by calling SLAC’s Audience Relationship Team at 801-363-7522.
*Member of Actors' Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States
**The Lighting Designer and Costume Designer for Passing Strange are represented by United Scenic Artists Local USA 829 of the IATSE.
