Crossroads Theatre Company’s 2023-24 Season



(NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ) — Crossroads Theatre Company’s 45th season kicks off on Saturday, October 21, 2023 with a special one night performance by April May Webb in a Tribute to Micki Grant.  The season then follows with Ella – A Musical Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald in December; the company’s annual Genesis Festival of New Plays in March; August Wilson’s Fences at the end of May; and Echoes’ Of Freedom – Miriam Makeba & Hugh Masekela’s Jazz Heritage in June.

October 21, 2023 – A Tribute to Micki Grant. A special performance by April May Webb and her band, Sounds of A&R in a captivating tribute to Micki Grant and her groundbreaking musical, “Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope.” Prepare for a heartwarming reunion that’s the highlight of their year – Homecoming! It’s the time when the beloved Crossroads family, including their audiences, talented actors, directors, singers, dancers, and musicians, all gather for an unforgettable evening filled with joy and entertainment.

This year’s Homecoming is set to be truly exceptional. On stage, they’ll have a soul-stirring, interactive drum circle that welcomes everyone to join in the rhythm. They’ll pay a musical tribute to the trailblazing Micki Grant and her groundbreaking production, “Don’t Bother Me, I Can’t Cope.” You’ll also get an exclusive sneak peek into the exciting shows lined up for their 2023-2024 season. And of course, they’ll have live jazz and plenty more surprises in store.

December 20-22, 2023 | Ella – A Musical Tribute to Ella Fitzgerald. In December for 4 performances only, Crossroads will pay tribute to a true legend and one of the most iconic jazz singers of all time: Ella Fitzgerald. And we are thrilled to welcome back to Crossroads the phenomenal performer, Freda Payne, in the title role singing some of Ella Fitzgerald’s most beloved songs set against the musical backdrop of a 6-piece jazz band.

March 20-24, 2024 | Genesis Festival Of New Plays ’24. Under the watchful, skilled eye of master dramaturg Sydné Mahone, the Genesis Festival this season will celebrate a constellation of exciting, gifted writers in an experience that brings artists and audiences together under one roof and in one most extraordinary event and shared conversation. In her own words – “The experience of attending the Genesis Festival is one that is not to be missed. The energy and excitement of witnessing new works come to life is invigorating. And as an audience member, you have the opportunity to witness the creative process in action and to be a part of shaping the future of theatre.” – Sydné Mahone.

May 29 – June 9, 2024 | August Wilson’s Fences. Crossroads welcomes August Wilson home! This sensational, Pulitzer Prize-winning drama was Mr. Wilson’s third play, and comes to Crossroads for the first time. Directed by Ricardo Khan who just recently directed the play in Johannesburg, South Africa where it played to sold out crowds, the Crossroads production will star performers from both the United States and South Africa, including the legendary Tony Award- winning actor, John Kani, who audiences will recognize most recently from the blockbuster film, “Black Panther”. Now, at Crossroads in the starring role of Troy Maxson, Kani will portray a former star of the Negro baseball leagues who now works as a garbage man in 1957 Pittsburgh. Excluded as a Black man from the major leagues during his prime, Troy’s bitterness takes its toll on his relationships with his wife and his son, who now wants his own chance to play ball. In August Wilson’s Fences, there is passion and humor, love, jazz and the blues, and ultimately, forgiveness.

June 4-9, 2024 | Echoes’ Of Freedom – Miriam Makeba & Hugh Masekela’s Jazz Heritage.  Last June, Crossroads launched an exciting and inspiring new series in music and theatre, “Our Heritage in Jazz”. It featured the works and life stories of musical icons, Billie Holiday and Nina Simone. This season, Crossroads celebrates the anniversary of the New South Africa, the birth of a new free nation as Nelson Mandela became its first Black president exactly 30 years ago. And to do this, “Our Heritage in Jazz” will feature the music and stories of global megastars, Miriam Makeba and Hugh Masekela.

Miriam Makeba, known as “Mama Africa”, was a South African singer, songwriter, actress, and civil rights activist known for Afropop, jazz and world music. She was celebrated in the United States and around the world, especially after she released several albums and songs, her most popular being “Pata Pata” (1967). Along with Harry Belafonte, she received a Grammy Award for Best Folk Recording for their 1965 album An Evening with Belafonte/Makeba.

Hugh Masekela was a legendary South African jazz musician who scored an unlikely No. 1 hit on the Billboard chart with his song “Grazing in the Grass” and who collaborated with artists ranging from Harry Belafonte to Paul Simon, Herb Alpert, Bob Marley, Fela Kuti, and his ex- wife, Miriam Makeba. “Bra Hugh,” as he was fondly known, was exiled from his native country for 30 years, but became a leading international voice against apartheid.

Performances take place at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center (11 Livingston Avenue) in New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Crossroads Theatre Company, the recipient of the 1999 Tony Award® for Outstanding Regional Theatre in the United States, is the nation’s premiere African American theater. The American Theatre Critics Association together with the American Theatre Wing and the League of Regional Theatres and Producers presented the prestigious Tony Award® to Crossroads in recognition of its history of artistic accomplishment and excellence. Crossroads was the first African American theater to receive this honor.

Crossroads continues to lead the nation with its commitment to literary works that examine the African American experience so that it may be understood and appreciated by all people.When co-founders Ricardo Khan and L. Kenneth Richardson envisioned a space where, as actors, the two young men could work on substantive, non-stereotypical roles, little did they realize that their vision would grow into the major institution that it is today.