New Jersey Stage logo
New Jersey Stage Menu



 

Passage Theatre Company presents World Premiere of "Ghetto Gods in Divineland"

originally published: 12/21/2023

(TRENTON, NJ) -- In celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip-hop, Trenton's only professional theater company is paying homage to the Poor Righteous Teachers. Trenton's first superstar hip-hop group—the philosophers and messengers for good and for the 'hood—inspired Passage Theatre Company's upcoming show Ghetto Gods in Divineland, a brand-new play co-written by Richard Bradford and Anthony Martinez-Briggs and Directed by Ozzie Jones. The production runs from February 8-25, 2024.

Set to the vibe, energy, and music of Trenton's own Poor Righteous Teachers, Ghetto Gods in Divineland tells the story of the unheard community of Divineland and how far its residents will go for representation and reclamation of their resources.

Ghetto Gods in Divineland is an experimental afrofuturism play that will portray a vision of Trenton and Trenton’s political and social issues through the lens of the “Divineland” neighborhood—also known as the Mayor Donnelly Project Homes, where the members of PRT met and grew up. The play dramatizes the social trauma of Trenton’s Divineland using progressiveness, modern science, technology and wisdom from the ancestors. The play seeks to bring awareness to these issues, how they’ve affected the community, and show the lengths its residents will go for their truth to be heard— all skillfully presented with hip-hop beats and lyrics evoking the rich history of the Poor Righteous Teachers. Of course, Passage Theatre has cast an impressive group of performers for the production.

Tasha Holmes, most recently seen in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom at the Ritz Theatre, has been cast in Ghetto Gods in Divineland as GEKIYLA, an observant horticulturist with a penchant for urban foraging. Davon Cochran joins her on stage as AMEEN, Gekiyla’s younger brother, a passionate activist. Rounding out the principal trio is Theatre in the X co-Artistic Director Carlo Campbell playing the role of PAPI SHH, a neo-soul ‘hood spiritualist, and Gekiyla and Ameen's lifelong friend.

Completing the cast are the eponymous GHETTO GODS, portrayed by Alicia Thomas and Craig Storrod. The Ghetto Gods play multiple roles throughout the piece but primarily serve as narrators and residents of Divineland. Alicia Thomas was recently featured in Motherless, a new play by Cherise Kimoy, and Craig Storrod performed in RENT at Theatre Unspeakable.

Ghetto Gods in Divineland’s world premiere will run for twelve weekend performances, Thursdays through Sundays, from February 8-25, 2024. Tickets are on sale here.

Passage Theatre Company is committed to creating and producing socially relevant new plays and arts programming that deeply resonate with and reflect our community. Through professional productions, educational programs, and community engagement, we present diverse perspectives and new voices that inspire audiences and invigorate the art of live theatre.




Reach New Jersey's largest arts & entertainment audience, click here for info on how to advertise at NJ Stage




 

EVENT PREVIEWS

The

The Players Guild of Leonia presents "Desperate Measures"

(LEONIA, NJ) -- The Players Guild of Leonia presents the musical, Desperate Measures weekends from May 30 - June 15, 2025. Imagine Shakespeare's Measure for Measure stripped down (pun intended) to its most fun parts, staged in the old west (Arizona), and set to music. This is a fast-paced comedy that will have the audience laughing from start to finish.



Surflight

Surflight Theatre presents Irving Berlin's "Top Hat"

(BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- Surflight Theatre presents Irving Berlin's Top Hat from May 28 through June 15, 2025. This uplifting and entertaining romantic comedy, featuring 14 glorious songs by Irving Berlin, celebrates 1930s music and romance with elegance and panache.



Theater

Theater to Go presents "Fiddler On The Roof" at Kelsey Theatre

(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- A beloved musical following a family’s celebration of life and all of its challenges, "Fiddler on the Roof," comes to life on the Kelsey Theatre stage from June 6-15, 2025 on the West Windsor Campus of Mercer County Community College. Presented by Theater To Go, this internationally celebrated musical delivers a profound message of resilience, unity, and hope, making it as relevant today as when it debuted on Broadway in 1964.



Bristol

Bristol Riverside Theatre presents "Alibi"

(BRISTOL, PA) -- Audiences should prepare for a thrilling night out at Bristol Riverside Theatre with Alibi, a sharp and stylish adaptation of legendary mystery writer Agatha Christie's The Murder of Roger Ackroyd. This suspenseful and witty production runs May 29 through June 15, 2025 and promises audiences excitement and plenty of laughs as they join one of Christie's most iconic characters—Detective Hercule Poirot—on a twisty trail of secrets and murder.



Music

Music Mountain Theatre presents the classic rock musical "Hair"

(LAMBERTVILLE, NJ) -- Music Mountain Theatre presents the American tribal love-rock musical Hair, featuring music by Galt MacDermot and book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado, weekends from May 30 through June 15, 2025. The musical celebrates the Sixties counterculture in all its barefoot, bell-bottomed, and beaded glory with iconic songs like "Aquarius," "Good Morning Starshine," and "Let the Sunshine In."



FEATURED EVENTS

ART | COMEDY | DANCE | FILM | MUSIC | THEATRE | COMMUNITY

To narrow results by date range, categories,
or region of New Jersey
click here for our advanced search.


Epic

Epic Actors’ Workshop presents the 20th South Asian Theatre Festival

Sunday, June 15, 2025 @ 2:00pm
New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC)
11 Livingston Avenue, New Brunswick, NJ 08901
category: theatre


 

Raise

Raise the Curtain VII!: Shine!

Sunday, June 15, 2025 @ 4:30pm
Bergen Performing Arts Center (bergenPAC)
30 North Van Brunt Street, Englewood, NJ 07631
category: theatre


 

Hedwig

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

Sunday, June 15, 2025 @ 5:00pm
Bell Theater
101 Crawfords Corner Road, Holmdel, NJ 07733
category: theatre


 

Count:

Count: Stories from America’s Death Row

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 @ 7:00pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Rehearsal Room)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
category: theatre


 

Count:

Count: Stories from America’s Death Row

Tuesday, June 17, 2025 @ 3:00pm
McCarter Theatre Center (Berlind Rehearsal Room)
91 University Place, Princeton, NJ 08540
category: theatre


 



Advertise with NJ Stage for $50-$100 per month, click here for info