Beyond the Box: Why ‘Passing Strange’ at The Studio@620 is Erica Sutherlin’s Most Personal Challenge Yet

by Avery Anderson

The Studio@620 is preparing to close out its theatrical season with a massive, genre-defying rock musical, but for Artistic Executive Director Erica Sutherlin, the stakes extend far beyond the stage.

Sutherlin is currently helming a new production of Passing Strange, a Tony Award-winning musical centered on a young, middle-class Black boy’s coming-of-age journey to find "the real". For Sutherlin, bringing this specific story to St. Petersburg isn't just about entertainment—it's a deliberate disruption of cultural norms and a deeply personal labor of love.

Searching for 'The Real'

At its core, Passing Strange follows a protagonist known simply as "The Youth" as he breaks away from his upbringing to discover his own identity. But what exactly is "the real" that he is searching for?

"For us, we’re talking about identity," Sutherlin explains. "We’re talking about the real as in tribe or family... truth. We have to remember that this is coming from an idealistic 20-year-old young man who is just starting the journey of adulthood. It's the breakage from being a child into young adulthood."

What makes the production uniquely compelling is its structure. The show features an all-Black cast of seven actors , yet as The Youth travels abroad to Amsterdam and Berlin, these African American actors step into the roles of white European characters.

According to Sutherlin, the brilliant casting choice by the show's creator, Stu, serves a dual purpose. It removes traditional concepts of race to examine what happens when an American enters a world that accepts them for who they are , while simultaneously providing a masterclass platform for emerging local artists of color.

Flipping the Script on Black Narrative Stereotypes

Sutherlin notes that American media and theater have historically funneled Black stories into rigid, predictable boxes.

• Black narratives in theater are overwhelmingly filled with pain, trauma, and financial struggle.
• Plots are frequently driven by systemic hardships or illicit choices like the "dope game".
• Characters who don't fit these molds are often cast aside or labeled as "not Black enough".

Passing Strange completely flips that script. "This story is about a little middle-class boy. He doesn’t need to do that. He didn't grow up that way," Sutherlin highlights. "We as Black Americans don’t always get to tell all the aspects of Black America. We need to show the world that."

A Deeply Personal Grief

Beyond its socio-political commentary, the musical features a profound look at the relationship between a mother and her child as they both try to find their footing. It's a dynamic that hit Sutherlin with unexpected, raw force during rehearsals.

"As soon as my mom took her last breath, I instantly felt alone in the world," Sutherlin shares. "Like the world got huge and just so much more unknown. I felt so protected for my 46 years of life, and then in an instant, I was like, 'Who am I?' This young man is looking at that for the first time."

A Decade-Long Dream and a Final Curtain?

The road to bringing Passing Strange to The Studio@620 has been incredibly grueling. Sutherlin was first introduced to the piece around 2014 by her late friend Jared O'Rourke, with whom she co-founded the Tampa-based theater company, The Space. She has spent over a decade actively trying to produce it.

Because musicals are notoriously expensive, Sutherlin had to aggressively reshape the budget to meet the show's demands. To keep the production viable, Sutherlin and the internal Studio@620 team had to roll up their sleeves and act as the primary designers for the entire show.

The experience has been so intense that Sutherlin reveals it may mark the end of an era for her creatively.

"I think that after I do this musical, I’m done directing musicals," she admits candidly. "I’m putting up my hat. I always found like I was an imposter directing musicals because I never went into this world to direct them. I'll still direct straight plays, I'll still direct film, but I think unless a musical really, really moves me in a way, I’m done."

Sutherlin is channeling all that energy into making this production an unforgettable milestone for the St. Pete community. She promises an experience that won't just offer an escape, but will challenge audiences to look closely at themselves.

"Come see the show, come sell it out because we need that revenue," Sutherlin urges with a laugh. "I think everybody will have a catharsis of some sort in this show."

🎟️ Plan Your Visit

• The Production: Passing Strange
• The Venue: The Studio@620, St. Petersburg, FL
• What to Expect: A high-intensity, emotionally raw rock musical exploring identity, family, and truth.