a show I think EVERYONE should see (except for really old people)

So if I haven't already let it slip, I used to be an actor. (Yeah, yeah, most of you already know this. There are some new folks here, so be patient.)

That, of course, means I have an extra-special relationship to theatre (kind of like an ex-boyfriend). As such, I've been friendly towards it, but have generally avoided making contact with it for the last six months to a year.

All of that changed on Thursday. I saw the most amazing show I've seen in YEARS, which has reheartened me, and reminded me that while there is a great deal of shit theatre in New York City, there are also some gems that shouldn't be missed for all the tea in China.

Passing Strange is one of them.

This rock musical is written and performed by Stew, a wildly smart, lyrically witty guy who, through the course of the show, tells us about how he searched for years to find something that's "real." First he looked to the church, then he looked to Amsterdam and finally to Berlin to really find himself and a feeling that was real.I don't want to spoil the show, but there are some really REALLY amazing lyrics in it, two of which I can remember are:

"why you want to leave, just when it was starting to feel real?" and
"how does it feel to be seen and be seen through?"

If you're an artist and have struggled with your art, with why you make it, with what's important to you, with love, with relationships, with family, with yourself... this show will speak to you.

I wholeheartedly recommend it. (And I am usually really stingy on the praise.)

Oh, and the reason I don't think really old people should see it? It's kind of loud. (I also sat in free seats right next to the speaker, which may or may not have had something to do with that.) So if you don't like loud rock music, you might want to skip it, but otherwise get thee to the Belasco!