Passing Strange is not your traditional musical. Billed as an off-Broadway rock musical with a cult following – even filmed by Spike Lee for a 2009 film – this seven-time Tony Award winner eventually found its way to the Broadway mainstage, and garnered critical acclaim.
Now it finds its Australian premiere at North Melbourne's Meat Market, with the often funny and occasionally insightful script delivered by a cast assembled from across the country, as well as a live band to back them up. The band are occasionally drawn into the action, which can make the 'musical' feel more like a rock concert at times; but the intimate setting at Stable 2 lends it an air of a room of best friends re-enacting their glory days to the delight of the festive house party guests.
It's an interesting encounter with an experimental musical theatre structure that – if you're a musical theatre buff – you should add to your list to see in town this month. Passing Strange runs until July 10, book tickets at the Antipodes Theatre website.