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The Public Theater's production Passing Strange, a new musical written by Stew, Heidi Rodewald, and Annie Dorsen, will run May 1-June 3, with an official opening slated for May 14. The show will be directed by Dorsen, with movement coordination by Karole Armitage.

The cast features de'Adre Aziza, Daniel Breaker, Eisa Davis, Colman Domingo, Chad Goodridge, and Rebecca Naomi Jones. In addition to Stew and Rodewald, the on-stage band will include Marc Doten (bass), Christian Cassan (drums), and Jon Spurney (guitar, keyboards, musical supervision). The show's creative team includes David Korins (sets), Elizabeth Hope Clancy (costumes), and Kevin Adams (lighting).

Developed at the Stanford Institute for Creativity and the Arts and Berkeley Rep (who is the co-producer of the show), Passing Strange takes audiences on an international journey from L.A. to Amsterdam, Berlin, and beyond. It features blues, rock and roll, gospel, and pop music written by Stew and Rodewald, who head the band The Negro Problem.

Passing Strange will officially conclude the Public's 2006-2007 season. The theater has postponed its production of Craig Lucas' The Singing Forest to a future season.