NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J.: Crossroads Theatre Company has announced its 2020-21 season, featuring six recorded productions from the Crossroads archives and a production at the New Brunswick Performing Arts Center in summer of 2021.
The season will open with Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 (streaming Oct. 6-18), by Anna Deavere Smith. Compiled from a series of interviews, the play takes a look at the tumultuous aftermath of the Rodney King trial.
Next up will be The Day-After Conversations (Nov. 5-15). Following election day, these conversations ask, ‘now what?’
Following will be Melba Moore: Sweet Songs of the Soul (Dec. 1-Jan. 3, 2021), an autobiographical musical about the life of Melba Moore.
The season will continue with Haarlem Nocturne (Jan. 5-17, 2021), conceived and co-written by André De Shields with book co-writer Murray Horwitz. De Shields stars in this musical revue that pays homage to Harlem’s golden age nightclubs.
Next will be George C. Wolfe’s The Colored Museum (Feb. 2-28, 2021), a satire that is set in a fictional museum and explores prominent themes and identities of African American culture.
Sheila’s Day (March 2-14, 2021), conceived and created by Duma Ndlovu and Mbongeni Ngema and written by Ndlovu with Ebony Jo-Anne, will follow. Filmed live at the Market Theatre in Johannesburg, South Africa, the play explores the struggle for freedom of Black domestic workers.
Live performances are then scheduled to return to close out the season with the world premiere of FREEDOM RIDER (June 19-27, 2021), conceived and directed by Ricardo Khan. Marking the 60th anniversary of the 1961 Freedom Rides, the production will be dedicated to Congressman John R. Lewis.
Additional programming for the season will include monthly presentations streamed on the third week of every month and co-presented in partnership with a variety of Corssroads’ global partners, the Genesis Festival of New Plays and New Voices (April 20-25, 2021), and monthly community town halls co-presented and streamed live in association with the NAACP of New Brunswick.
Founded in 1978, Crossroads Theatre Company produces plays and musicals that examine the African American experience and promotes the work of Africa and African American artists.
