Now in its fifth year, Holiday Jubilee is directed by renowned Broadway fight director Rick Sordelet with musical direction by Gail Lou DeSandies. The show features an original new story line each year that brings diverse cultures and communities together to celebrate their holiday traditions, including Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa and Diwali-Incwala. Holiday favorites along with popular tunes, R&B and Gospel combine with audience participation for a fun and festive experience.
Performances are at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday; 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are $30 and $15 for student rush and children under 12. One child under 12 admitted free for onstage seating with an adult admission. Children's discounted tickets must be purchased by phone or in person with adult tickets to assure adjacent seating. Full-price tickets only may be purchased online at crossroadstheatrecompany.org.
"Holiday Jubilee has been the first theatrical experience for many children over the years. It's been a delight to see them engage with the performers," said Marshall Jones III, Crossroads' producing artistic director. "This year's show will feature some surprises, including a special moment for couples and a new twist on our popular ‘12 Days of Christmas' number."
The cast features many returning actors and singers along with the youthful members of the BAM (Body and Music) School of Performing Arts of Piscataway. Returning to Holiday Jubilee are Stephen Agosto, Jason Barrameda, Tamara Beamer, Aaron Boykin, Martin Carpenter, L.C. DeSandies, T.S. DeSandies, Leah Joy, Karizma Kishnani, Jeanel LeBlanc, Jevonnah Mayo, Gemini Quintos, Crystal Roe, Lori Tishfield and Eeftu Yacoub. Crystal Roe and Mark Bailey are new to the cast.
Founded in 1978 by Ricardo Khan and L. Kenneth Richardson, Crossroads Theatre Company embraces the vision that African-American theater is intended for a broad-based, diverse audience. As a major force in the development of new ideas and the introduction of formerly marginalized writers, Crossroads produces works that enrich and diversify the representation of African American culture on the American stage.
