By Gina Marie Rodriguez & Dave Tavani, JerseyArts.com
originally published: 05/28/2026
Sizwe Banzi Is Dead.
Not to worry, that is simply the title of the latest show running at Crossroads Theatre Company in New Brunswick. Set during South Africa’s apartheid era, the play follows a man faced with an impossible choice: disappear under the weight of an oppressive system—or reinvent himself in order to survive. What ensues is a powerful, funny and deeply moving story about identity, survival and ingenuity.
The play was written by Athol Fugard, Winston Ntshona, and John Kani. The latter of which originated the roles of Sizwe and Bunto. John Kani's son, Antandwa Kani now steps into the role originated by his father, alongside Kelcey L. Watson as Sizwe.
Jersey Arts is at Crossroads Theatre Company to meet the cast and crew bringing this show to life.
Crossroads Theatre Company presents Sizwe Banzi is Dead through June 14, 2026. Tickets are available for purchase online. The New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (NBPAC) is located at 11 Livingston Avenue in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
This creative team includes Ricardo Khan and creative collaborator, Tony Award® winner John Kani. Beowulf Boritt (New York, New York Act One, Flying Over Sunset), Tony®, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Awards, and whose 1/52 Project—a non-profit founded by him, will receive the 2026 Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre,is the production’s scenic designer. Returning to Crossroads is costume designer, Helen Hayes nominee Mika Eubanks (The MONSTERS; Twelfth Night); Obie Award Winner Victor En Yu Tan is lighting designer, Tony® Nominee and Grammy winner, Justin Ellington is sound designer; Stefania Bulbarella, a Tony®, Drama Desk, and Outer Critics Circle Award nominee is projection designer; Andrea Zertuche (The Space Between, Past Lives), is projection associate and programmer; Anya Kutner is prop supervisor (Titus Andronicus; Meet the Cartozians); Norman Anthony Small, is production stage manager (American Buffalo; Leopoldstadt; The Shark is Broken), the assistant stage manager is Scott Yezzi, (Straight Forward, Girlboss), and Crossroads Managing Director Ezra Ezzard is a producer.
About the author: Gina Marie Rodriguez is an award-winning screenwriter, director, and actress. Her foray into filmmaking began at a young age as a way to avoid public speaking in school. From there, it grew into a love of telling stories and creating new worlds. Gina Marie boasts a Bronze Remi win from Worldfest Houston, Best Female Filmmaker from the Cosmic Film Festival, and a Best Actress in a Comedy from the Hang Onto Your Shorts Film Festival alongside nominations from the Golden Door International Film Festival, Official Latino Film and Arts Festival and Los Angeles Cinefest among others.
Dave Tavani is a freelance videographer and still photographer based in the Philadelphia area. In recent years, Dave has worked on a variety of projects, mostly for nonprofit and arts organizations. In addition to JerseyArts.com, he works on video projects for McCarter Theatre Center, The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, Visit Philadelphia, Bristol Riverside Theatre, Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture, The Pennsylvania Horticultural Society, and ArtPride New Jersey.
EVENT PREVIEWS
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Mile Square Theatre presents "An Evening in the Woods: Musical Selections from Into the Woods" on June 13th
(HOBOKEN, NJ) -- Mile Square Theatre will hold its first-ever Education Program Fundraiser, An Evening in the Woods: Musical Selections from Into the Woods in Concert, on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 7:00pm, with a preshow reception beginning at 6:00pm.
The Growing Stage presents round 2 of the 2026 New Play Reading Festival on June 13th
(NETCONG, NJ) -- The Growing Stage presents round 2 of the 2026 New Play Reading Festival on Friday, June 13, 2026 at 4:00pm. The plays include Snapped, The Wind in the Wildflowers, Timmon and the Magic Shoes, and My Tree.
Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey presents "American Folktales" on Saturday
(MADISON, NJ) -- The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) presents American Folktales, the next installment in the Theatre's popular Classics for Kids! series, on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 11:00am at the F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre. The performance is appropriate for all ages.
Players Guild of Leonia presents The Marshall Playwright Showcase from June 12-14
(LEONIA, NJ) -- The Players Guild of Leonia presents The Marshall Playwrights Showcase from June 12-14, 2026. Named in honor of their long-time PGL member, Helene Marhsall, the showcase includes five original one-acts making for an unforgettable night! Works are by Keith Whalen, Conor Casey, Michael Gage Costa, and Chris Widney.
Studio Players' Reading Series presents "The Laramie Project 10 Years Later" on June 14th
(MONTCLAIR, NJ) -- Studio Players' Reading Series presents a Staged Reading of "The Laramie Project 10 Years Later" on Sunday, June 14, 2026 at 7:00pm. Written by Moises Kaufman and Leigh Fondakowski, this is a powerful and deeply moving epilogue to the groundbreaking original. The reading is directed by Thomas J. Donohoe II.
The Company Theatre Group presents a Staged Reading of "Final Day, the Musical" on June 16th
(HACKENSACK, NJ) -- The Company Theatre Group presents a Staged Reading of Final Day, the Musical in the Ruth Bauer Neustadter Gallery at Hackensack Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, June 16, 2026 at 3:00pm & 7:00pm. Set on the final day of World War II in Germany, Final Day follows prisoners awaiting liberation as they confront a camp commandant under orders to execute them all.
interACT Theatre Productions presents "Psycho Beach Party"
(MAPLEWOOD, NJ) -- interACT Theatre Productions presents Psycho Beach Party by Charles Busch presented as part of OUT IN MAPSO PRIDE 2026 with two performances June 19-20 at The Burgdorff Center for the Performing Arts.
Magnolia Productions presents "The Vagina Monologues"
(ATLANTIC HIGHLANDS, NJ) -- Magnolia Productions presents "The Vagina Monologues" across two weekends from June 12-20, 2026 at the Navesink Library. A whirlwind tour of a forbidden zone, Eve Ensler's Obie Award-winning play features personal monologues from women of various ages, races and sexualities.
Wharton Community Players present "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
(BERKELEY HEIGHTS, NJ) -- The Wharton Community Players invite audiences to step into a world of magic, romance, and mischief with their upcoming production of A Midsummer Night's Dream, directed by Wharton Performing Arts School faculty member Lilli Markey. Performances take place across two weekends from June 12-21, 2026.
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