There have been times going as far back to Hair in 1968, when it seemed certain that American musical theater was entering the rock 'n' roll age for good. A decade ago Rent arrived, but it also became an isolated musical statement. Now it seems as if the sea change may have finally occurred, thanks to the recent successes of Spring Awakening and In the Heights.

As if further proof was needed, a new show with a downtown rock 'n' roll sensibility,
Passing Strange, has arrived to confirm the trend. This fine and funky autobiographical rock musical, co-created by the performance artist Stew and collaborators Heidi Rodewald and Annie Dorsen -- has just opened at The Public Theater (the birthpl[...]