WHAT IS A BLACK OUT?

A BLACK OUT is the purposeful creation of an environment in which a Bla(c)k- and Brown-identifying audience can experience and discuss an event in the performing arts, film, athletic, and cultural spaces – free from the white gaze. BLACK OUT performances are private, invitation-only events. They are taken off-sale, and tickets are only available for purchase using a special code. If you would like to attend this performance, please email info@antipodestheatre.com for an access code.

A concept birthed by Slave Play playwright Jeremy O. Harris, the inaugural BLACK OUT night took place on September 18, 2019. For the first time in history, all 804 seats of Broadway’s Golden Theatre were occupied by Black-identifying audience members in communion, celebration, and recognition of Broadway’s rich, diverse, and fraught history of Black work. Based on the success of the first BLACK OUT, Slave Play hosted a second BLACK OUT on January 8, 2020, to bookend its Broadway run. Since then, other BLACK OUT events have organically taken hold. It is our hope and intention that this inspires, facilitates, and informs future BLACK OUT events and, in the words of Harris, that “this outreach will snowball into more representation of Black bodies, both onstage and off.” You can learn more at blackoutnite.com.

Non-Bla(c)k- and Brown-identifying individuals who can only attend the Sat 2 July 7:30pm performance may sign up for the waitlist to access any remaining tickets at the door. These tickets will become available for purchase at the venue starting 30 minutes before showtime if the performance is not sold out. Individuals from the waitlist must be present to purchase tickets (no advance sales).

Antipodes Theatre Company presents the Australian Premiere of the TONY Award-Winning Musical PASSING STRANGE

A rock musical about a young African American's artistic journey of self-discovery, Passing Strange takes us from black middle-class America to Amsterdam, Berlin and beyond on a journey towards personal and artistic authenticity.

From singer-songwriter and performance artist Stew, this Australian premiere season gifts Melbourne audiences a daring musical; journeying across boundaries of place, identity and theatrical convention. The story of a young bohemian who charts a course for “the real” through sex, drugs and rock 'n’ roll, Passing Strange is a multi-award-winning musical loaded with soulful lyrics, and overflowing with passion.

Running this June/July at Melbourne’s much-loved Meat Market Stables, Antipodes Theatre Company invites you to come and experience the show Time Out New York heralded as “One of the most exciting new musicals in years”.

Launching in 2019, Antipodes Theatre Company seeks to provide a collaborative and inclusive environment for producing independent theatre in Melbourne. They strive to maintain an inclusive and safe workspace, with productions that have a dedicated focus on working with women, ethnically diverse artists, people with disability, trans and non-binary people, seniors, and other members of historically or culturally marginalised communities who are not well represented on stage.

Reviews:

"Fresh, exuberant and bitingly funny...
Call it a rock concert with a story to tell…
Call it a sprawling work of performance art…
Call it whatever you want, really. I’ll just call it wonderful”
-- Charles Isherwood, The New York Times

“Emotional… melodic... playful, passionate… It’s truly unlike anything you’ve seen on Broadway”
-- Elysa Gardner, USA Today

“One of the most exciting new musicals in years"
-- TIME OUT New York

“Smashes Broadway cliches with an electric guitar… the funniest libretto I can remember.”
-- Jeremy McCarter, New York

Awards:

WINNER - Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical (2008)
WINNER - Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Musical (2008)
WINNER - Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Lyrics (2008)
WINNER - Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Music (2008)
NOMINATED - 7 Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Original Score

Tickets for BLACK OUT performance:

$50, $40 or $30 depending on affordability
Email info@antipodestheatre.com for access code
Venue: Meat Market Stables - 2 Wreckyn St, North Melbourne

Runtime: 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one interval
Recommended for audiences: 13+, parental discretion is advised
Warnings: Coarse language, discussion of sexual acts, implied drug use, racism and racial slurs, death and dying
This is a COVIDSafe event as per Victorian Government stipulations

@antipodesarts | #passingstrangeAU

Antipodes Theatre Company proudly presents the Australian premiere of

PASSING STRANGE

Book and Lyrics by Stew

Music by Stew and Heidi Rodewald

Created in collaboration with Annie Dorsen

By Arrangement with Music Theatre International (Australasia) on behalf of Dramatists Play Service, Inc

Directed by Dean Drieberg (He/Him)

Featuring: Zahrah Andrews (She/Her), Tier Ataing (He/Him), Guillaume Gentil (He/Him), Sasha Hennequin (She/Her), Asha Khamis (She/Her), Augustin Tchantcho (He/Him), Theo Williams (He/Him), Gabriela van Wyk (She/Her) and Grant Young (He/Him)

Associate Director / Equity and Inclusion Support Officer: Cessalee Stovall (She/Her)
Musical Director: Marissa Saroca (She/They)
Choreographer: Loredo Malcolm (He/Him)
Dialect Coach: Mark Wong (He/Him)
Set and Costume Designer: Bianca Pardo (She/Her)
Lighting Designer: Sam Wylie (He/Him)
Sound Designer: Evan Drill (He/Him)
Stage Manager: Annie Gleisner (She/Her)
Casting by Evolution Casting
Casting Director: Rhys Velasquez (They/She)
Publicist: Sassy Red PR (She/Her, Sassy Red PR)
Producer/Production Manager: Brandon Pape (He/Him)

24 June–10 July 2022 at Meat Market Stables in North Melbourne:

Fri 24 June 7:30pm (Preview)

Sat 25 June 3:00pm (Matinee - Preview)

Sat 25 7:30pm (Opening Night)

Sun 26 3:00pm (Matinee)

Mon 27 7:30pm (Industry Night)

Wed 29 7:30pm

Thu 30 7:30pm

Fri 1 July 7:30pm (Auslan Interpreted)

Sat 2 3:00pm (Matinee) & 7:30pm (Black Out Performance)

Sun 3 3:00pm (Matinee)

Mon 4 7:30pm (Industry Night)

Wed 6 7:30pm (Q&A with director and cast)

Thu 7 7:30pm

Fri 8 7:30pm

Sat 9 3:00pm (Matinee) & 7:30pm

Sun 10 3:00pm (Matinee - Closing)

Accessibility

Meat Market Stables is wheelchair accessible. Please indicate accessibility needs when you book your ticket so that we can coordinate your arrival and direct you to our accessible entrance.

Passing Strange has a high level of dialogue, singing and musical content that is accessible to people who are Blind or have low vision.
A descriptive summary of the theatre, set, costumes and cast can be provided at the box office.

An Auslan-interpreted performance is planned for Friday 1 July at 7:30pm.

What is a BLACK OUT Night?

A BLACK OUT is the purposeful creation of an environment in which a Bla(c)k- and Brown-identifying audience can experience and discuss an event in the performing arts, film, athletic, and cultural spaces where they are the majority. Tickets are available for purchase using a special code. If you would like to attend this performance, please email info@antipodestheatre.com.

A concept birthed by Slave Play playwright Jeremy O. Harris, the inaugural BLACK OUT night took place on September 18, 2019. For the first time in history, all 804 seats of Broadway’s Golden Theatre were occupied by Black-identifying audience members in communion, celebration, and recognition of Broadway’s rich, diverse, and fraught history of Black work. Based on the success of the first BLACK OUT, Slave Play hosted a second BLACK OUT on January 8, 2020, to bookend its Broadway run. Since then, other BLACK OUT events have organically taken hold. It is our hope and intention that this inspires, facilitates, and informs future BLACK OUT events and, in the words of Harris, that “this outreach will snowball into more representation of Black bodies, both onstage and off.” You can learn more at blackoutnite.com.

Contact the host of Passing Strange (BLACK OUT Performance)