PASSING STRANGE and A FACE IN THE CROWD to play at Young Vic

As part of Kwame Kwei-Armah’s final season as the Artistic Director of the Young Vic Theatre, two premieres have been announced: Passing Strange and A Face in the Crowd.

The European premiere of the Tony Award-winning rock musical Passing Strange brings an electrifying musical odyssey to the Young Vic stage. Directed by Liesl Tommy, with a book and lyrics by singer-songwriter Stew, and music by Stew Stewart and Heidi Rodewald, created in collaboration with Annie Dorsen, the production will play from 14 May – 6 July.

A young, Black musician sets out on an electrifying musical odyssey to find himself and his place in the world, swapping his middle-class L.A. upbringing for punk rock and protest in 1980s Amsterdam and Berlin.

The creative team also brings together set and costume designer Ben Stones, sound designer Tom Gibbons, musical supervisor Brandon Michael Nase, musical director Art Terry, choreographer Dickson Mbi, and casting director Heather Basten CDG.

Full casting and further creative team to be announced.

Kwame Kwei-Armah will then direct his final production as Young Vic Artistic Director with the world premiere of A Face in the Crowd, a cautionary tale about the dangers of celebrity, power, and politics based on the classic ‘50s Hollywood film, with music and lyrics by Elvis Costello and a book by Sarah Ruhl. This production will run from 10 September – 9 November.

When local radio producer Marcia Jeffries interviews drunk drifter ‘Lonesome Rhodes’ in his jail cell, she immediately sees his potential and gives him a slot on her show. But as Lonesome's fans grow more clamorous and the politicians start taking notice, Marcia realises she has unleashed a force she can no longer control.

Full casting and creative team to be announced.

Public booking for both shows opens on 19 February.

For more information on the full season, please click here.