Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 09/16/2020
(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) -- Crossroads Theatre Company’s 2020-2021 season that officially kicks off October 6 will consist of a schedule of on-line (closed-captioned) and live theatrical productions, town hall conversations and fundraising events from its home stages at The New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC) as well as from the stages of several of Crossroads producing partners around the U.S. and globally.
The season begins with a Family Day for members on October 4 who will get a sneak peak of the season on-line.
Appropriately titled Stages of Change, Crossroads nine-month season is the culmination of much thought, empathy and ingenuity against the challenging backdrop of COVID-19, social justice and social distancing. “The advent of a new normal compelled us to design a way to channel our very important stories and voices of the African Diaspora to our supporters and audiences,” said Anthony P. Carter, President of Crossroads Board of Trustees. “Particularly in this moment of chaos, division, and derision the purpose of Crossroads existence is more important than ever,” Carter added.
Winner of a Tony Award™ for Outstanding Regional Theatre in America, Crossroads is recognized as one of this nation’s most important creative contributors to the cannon of American plays and musicals. The programming being offered for the upcoming season will expand Crossroads’ geographic reach nationally and internationally, while also maintaining its commitment to community.
“We must continue to stand true to our mission and purpose to educate, raise awareness, be a catalyst for thought, understanding, healing, change and bring folks together,” said Ricardo Khan, Artistic Producing Consultant to Crossroads Theatre Company. “The slate of programming put together will spotlight the issues of our day including the power of voting against a backdrop of voter suppression, the importance of community activism against the backdrop of systemic injustice and the value of diverse voices being heard,” Khan added.
The year 2020 has proven to be a very challenging year of uncertainty, loss and sadness. Crossroads Theatre Company is hopeful that the offerings of its new season will provide the respite people need to be entertained and hopeful for a brighter day. The 2020-2021 season consists of a combination of streamed, live and pre-recorded productions and activities. The live/streamed events include The Genesis Festival of New Plays and Voices and the A Night With Crossroads Gala in April. The season finale boasts the World Premiere of Freedom Rider by Murray Horwitz, Nathan Louis Jackson, Kathleen McGhee-Anderson, Ricardo Khan, and Nikkole Salter. The production commemorates the 60th anniversary of the freedom rides depicting the perilous journey of one of America’s most significant civil rights issues. It will be a live performance dedicated to the late Congressman John R. Lewis.
A snapshot of Crossroads Theatre Company’s monthly programming schedule for the season includes:
- Weeks 1 and 2 of every month - Pre-recorded distinguished productions and renowned artists from Crossroads’ archives. This series kick off with Anna Deavere Smith’s Twilight: Los Angeles, about the Rodney King verdict.
- Week 3 of every month – Streaming of Young, Gifted and Emerging Artists from around the World co-presented in partnership with Crossroads’ most popular global partners.
- Four Tuesdays spread over the season will offer Conversations to Inspire – Streamed live from NBPAC public conversations will focus on pressing issues facing communities today. This series will be co-presented with the New Brunswick NAACP Oct. 27, Nov. 24, Jan. 26, March 24 and April 27.
An in-depth look at the season
THE ONLINE THEATRE PRODUCTIONS (Pre-Recorded):
A. Weeks 1 and 2 of every month.
Distinguished Productions and renowned artists from the 42 years of Crossroads archives.
Streaming the first 2 weeks of every month. (Content still in progress and subject to change):
- October 2020- Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 by Anna Deavere Smith. Re-visiting the Rodney King verdict.
- November 2020- Following election day. “The Day After” Conversations. Part 1: Artists, Part 2: The Young Lions, Part 3: Parenting through danger waters.
- December 2020- Melba Moore: Sweet Songs of the Soul, an autobiographical musical about her life, starring Ms. Melba Moore.
- January 2021- Haarlem Nocturne, a musical starring the Tony Award winner André DeShields, conceived and co-written by André DeShields with book co-writer Murray Horwitz.
- February 2021- The Colored Museum, the brilliant satire by George C. Wolfe..
- March 2021- Sheila’s Day, the groundbreaking international Crossroads production filmed live at The Market Theatre in Johannesburg, South Africa.
- April 2021- Crossroads: the Story of a Theatre, the 1996 NJN documentary on the first black theatre in America to win the Tony Award for Best Regional Theatre.
B. Week 3 of every month.
Young, Gifted and Emerging Artists from around the World.
Co-presented in partnership with some of Crossroads’ most popular global partners and streamed the 3rd week of every month:
- October 2020- From Classical Theatre of Harlem, artist(s) to be determined.
- November 2020- From The Market Theatre in South Africa, artist(s) to be determined.
- December 2020- From ArtsCorps in Seattle, artist(s) to be determined.
- January 2021- And André De Shields choice of artist.
- February 2021- From Hi-ARTS in New York City, artist(s) to be confirmed.
- March 2021- A Re-Run from an earlier episode.
- April 2021- The Genesis Festival of New Voices (Live and then Streamed)
COMMUNITY TOWN HALLS:
Live from NBPAC the last Tuesday of every month.
TOWN TALKS- Public conversations on pressing issues facing our communities today.
Conversations To Inspire.
Co-presented and streamed live in association with the NAACP of New Brunswick and possibly the NAACP of San Fransisco (simultaneously). These events will begin on Tuesday October 27 and streamed for 2-4 weeks every month (depending on subject matter) until April 2021.
CROSSROADS’ ANNUAL GALA:
“A Night With Crossroads”- the theatre’s annual Gala, to be held live for a small audience and streamed online. Saturday, April 3, 2021
IN PERFORMANCE LIVE AGAIN!
A. April 20-25, 2021- The Genesis Festival of New Plays and New Voices. (also see “Week 3, emerging artists”)
Our one-week festival featuring new plays and insightful conversations with the audience and writers about their plays and the issues that they raise. (Held live at NBPAC and streamed)
B. June 2021- The world premiere production of FREEDOM RIDER conceived and directed by Ricardo Khan. The production will mark the 60th anniversary of the 1961 Freedom Rides, and will be dedicated to one of the most famous freedom riders, the late Congressman John R. Lewis. June 19- June 27, 2021.
The 1999 Tony® Award-winning Crossroads Theatre Company (CTC), now a resident member of the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC), is in its fourth decade of being a preeminent gateway for black theatre that has been the stage for many actors, directors, designers, writers and other theatre professionals. Since opening in 1978, CTC has built a rich and storied legacy, celebrating the culture, history, spirit and voices of the African Diaspora.
EVENT PREVIEWS
Gateway Playhouse presents Neil Simon's "London Suite"
(SOMERS POINT, NJ) -- Gateway Playhouse presents Neil Simon's London Suite with three performances from July 11-12, 2026. Witty, charming, and unmistakably Neil Simon, London Suite invites audiences into a series of hilarious and heartfelt encounters set in the same London hotel room.
The Light Opera of New Jersey presents "H.M.S. Pinafore" at the Sieminski Theater Cultural Arts Center
(BASKING RIDGE, NJ) -- The Light Opera of New Jersey presents H.M.S. Pinafore from July 11-12, 2026 at the Sieminski Theater Cultural Arts Center. This is a comic operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan that satirize the British class system.
Misfits Theatre Co. presents "She Loves Me"
(MATAWAN, NJ) -- Misfits Theatre Co., a community theater organization dedicated to producing bold, entertaining, and accessible theater for audiences of all ages, presents its inaugural book musical production, She Loves Me at Matawan Regional High School from July 10-12, 2026.
Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center presents "Sense and Sensibility" outside duCret Center of Art
(PLAINFIELD, NJ) -- Dragonfly Multicultural Arts Center invites audiences to experience Jane Austen's beloved classic Sense and Sensibility in a charming outdoor production this summer at duCret Center of Art in Plainfield. Performances take place July 10-12, 2026.
Howell PAL Theater Company presents "Grease"
(OCEAN GROVE, NJ) -- Howell PAL Theater Company presents the classic musical Grease weekends from July 10-12, 2026 at the Jersey Shore Arts Center. Grease is a love song to the 1950s and a cornerstone of the American musical comedy form.
Pioneer Productions presents encore run of "What the Constitution Means to Me" in Chatham Borough
(CHATHAM, NJ) -- Pioneer Productions is thrilled to announce encore performances of their production of Heidi Schreck's "What the Constitution Means to Me." Following a sold-out run of the show in downtown Morristown earlier this year, the original cast and production team have partnered with Chatham Borough to present an encore weekend July 11-12, 2026 at the Stanely Center.
Masquerade Theatre presents a staged reading of "Executive Decisions" by Dan Jankauskas
(RIVERSIDE, NJ) -- Masquerade Theatre presents a staged reading of Executive Decisions by Dan Jankauskas from July 10-12, 2026. It tells the story of two coworkers, Fives and Tenner, who are suddenly faced with the prospect that their routine deskwork has lethal consequences.
Phoenix Productions presents "Rock of Ages"
(RED BANK, NJ) -- Phoenix Productions presents Rock of Ages from July 10-12, 2026 at Count Basie Center for the Arts. Rock of Ages takes you back to the time of big bands with big egos playing big guitar solos and sporting even bigger hair!
Skyline Theatre Company presents Shakespeare on the Porch with "Much Ado About Nothing"
(BLOOMFIELD, NJ) -- Skyline Theatre Company presents Much Ado About Nothing with performances July 17-18, 2026 as part of its Shakespeare on the Porch series. The Bard's ultimate rom-com comes to life on the porch of the Oakeside Mansion.
The Montclair Foundation and Studio Players will present Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" at Van Vleck House and Gardens
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- The Montclair Foundation and Studio Players will present Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing outside at Van Vleck House and Gardens across two weekends from July 10-18, 2026. This is no ordinary stage production, it’s an immersive theatrical experience.
FEATURED EVENTS
