A new musical about George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware and the ensuing events in the Trenton and Princeton region is in the works. "The Crossing" depicts the events of the so-called ten crucial days – from the crossing through the battles of Trenton and Princeton. Composer John Watts and writer Jason Huza teamed up to write the musical, which follows Washington and the others who will be at his side in the boat through the preparation, the crossing itself, and some of the critical days that followed, when battles in Trenton and Princeton helped turn the tide of the revolution. In addition to Washington, the cast of characters includes Thomas Paine, whose writings inspired the colonists, as well as some of the everyday people who made the Revolution happen.
"The Crossing" will be featured as part of a festival this July at Trenton's Passage Theatre, whose Executive Artistic Director, Brishen Miller, is a co-producer of the musical. Ultimately, Watts and Huza hope to stage a production at Patriots Theater at the Trenton War Memorial. A Tempo host chats with Watts, Huza and Miller about the musical and their inspiration.
This episode also includes an interview with Ruth Markoe, owner, producer and director of Theater To Go, about its current production at Kelsey Theatre - It's Never Too Late - written by Hightstown, NJ resident Lou DiPietro with music by West Windsor, NJ native Louis Josephson.