Theo Ubique Presents PASSING STRANGE Review

Entering into the Theo Ubique space, it feels like we’ve entered a modern music lounge. The drum kit sits up over to the left. The piano off to the right. A teal stool sits center stage with an electric and acoustic guitar sitting next to it. There’s the din of people chatting as they sip their pre-show drinks. Then the lights dim and The Narrator (Jordan DeBose) walks through the audience jovially welcoming us and sets the tone for the show. They tease that it’s fine to answer back as they shout and ask us if we’re ready to get the show going. We enthusiastically agree and begin the story of Passing Strange.

Theo Ubique And The Search for The Real

The Youth (Michael Jones) grumbles as his mother tries to get him to dress up for church. His face is permanently in a frown as they walk through the church pews and his mother smiles at everyone around them. But then, the music starts and the choir sings he starts to feel something. He’s moved by the gospel music and feels the connection to soul and rock n’roll.

He feels he has direction. He begins his musical journey. We travel with him on this journey of self-discovery as he tries to find what’s real and meaningful through music and art.

Painting a Picture of Europe

We’re taken to a free loving Amsterdam where the stage is bathed in warm colors. He discovers maybe love for the first time in Marianna (Caitlin Dobbins). Dobbins invites Jones back to live with her through her sultry and inviting song Keys.

We travel to Berlin where the stage changes to a harsh black and white. The ensemble comes out on stage faces painted with heavy, black eye makeup. They have donned thick platform boots, mesh shirts, harnesses, and spiked collars. It’s a vast juxtaposition to Amsterdam as these self-proclaimed revolutionists stage a riot in front of us. Here, Desi (Chamoya Moody), the leader of the group Nowhaus brings him a new perspective on love as she sings the heartfelt Damage.

At times the cast literally shakes the stage with their high energy performance.

Getting To The Heart of The Show

For this writer, the true conflict and understanding came too quickly at the end. No spoilers here, only that the emotional crux of the show comes very fast and you too might find it jarring without having been pulled in fully to any deep emotions earlier in the show. The cast does do an excellent job of delivering this last emotionally packed moment. We all feel and understand what is truly real.

Passing Strange is a rock musical with a journey set in an intimate music lounge setting. For those who enjoy comedic shows about self-discovery, this would be a good fit for you.

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CAST:

NARRATOR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jordan DeBose (they/them)
LOS ANGELES
MOTHER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jenece Upton (she/her)
YOUTH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Jones (he/him)
TERRY, A BAD KID AT CHURCH. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elliot Sagay (he/him)
SHERRY, ANOTHER BAD KID AT CHURCH. . . . . . . . . . . Chamaya Moody (she/her)
FRANKLIN, CHURCH PIANIST,
YOUTH CHOIR DIRECTOR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Mejia (they/them)
EDWINA, A TEENAGE GODDESS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Caitlin Dobbins (she/her)
AMSTERDAM
RENATA, AN ABSTRACT ARTIST
AND CAFÉ WAITRESS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Chamaya Moody (she/her)
CHRISTOPHE, AN ACADEMIC WHO MOONLIGHTS. . . . . . . Elliot Sagay (he/him)
JOOP, A BODY LIBERATIONIST. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Mejia (they/them)
MARIANNA, A NEO-HIPPIE. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Caitlin Dobbins (she/her)
BERLIN
HUGO, A MILITANT ESSAYIST. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Elliot Sagay (he/him)
SUDABEY, AN AVANT-GARDE
FILMMAKER AND WRITER. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Caitlin Dobbins (she/her)
DESI, A DEN MOTHER AND SOCIAL ENGINEER. . . . . Chamaya Moody (she/her)
MR. VENUS, A PERFORMANCE ARTIST. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Michael Mejia (they/them)
PIT SINGER (U/S NARRATOR & ENSEMBLE 2). . . . Marquise De’Jahn (he/she/they)
PIT SINGER (U/S YOUTH & ENSEMBLE 1). . . . . . . Makenzy Jenkins (he/she/they)
PIT SINGER (U/S MOTHER & ENSEMBLE 3 & 4). . . . . Cynthia Hindmon (she/her)

CREATIVE TEAM:

DIRECTOR Tim Rhoze (he/him)
MUSIC DIRECTOR/ Dr. Michael McBride (he/him)
DIGITAL MUSIC DESIGNER
CHOREOGRAPHER Terri K Woodall (she/her)
STAGE MANAGER Payton Shearn (she/they)
SCENIC DESIGNER Sydney Lynne (she/her)
LIGHTING DESIGNER David Goodman-Edberg (he/him)
COSTUME DESIGNER Austin Winter (they/them)
PROPERTIES DESIGNER Lonnae Hickman (she/her)
SOUND DESIGNER Stefanie Senior (she/her)
DIALECT COACH Bria Walker-Rhoze (she/her)
ASSISTANT MUSIC DIRECTOR Abigail Harper Caruso (she/they)
TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Hunter Cole (they/them)
AUDIO ENGINEER Isaac Mandel (he/him)
SCENIC PAINTER Livian Kennedy (she/her)
PRODUCTION ELECTRICIAN Josiah Croegaert (he/him)
PRODUCTION MANAGER Matthew R. Chase (he/him)
CASTING DIRECTOR Christopher Pazdernik (any)
CASTING ASSISTANT Caeli Wu (she/her)

About the Author: Alexis Bugajski

Alexis is a theater reviewer, travel bug, media specialist, and burger & beer enthusiast. During the day she works in the advertising business as a senior communications designer. When night falls, or when she can escape to New York, she’s hitting the theaters to see as many shows as she can. And whenever she’s not at her desk or in the audience, she’s out seeking the best burger and beer offerings in Chicago.

Editor's Note: Click here to read more Picture this Post articles by Alexis Bugajski