The New Brunswick, NJ, company announced its season on Aug. 26.
In Train to 2010 — written by Sibusiso Mamba and co-created with Ricardo Khan and the World Theatre Lab, Johannesburg, South Africa — "the audience enters the new South Africa as one of the world's youngest democracies prepares to host the 2010 World Cup," according to Crossroads notes. "As two laborers are digging and building the underground Johannesburg railway to bring the world to South Africa, the men confront their deepest fears, secrets, dreams and visions. This powerful and poignant drama examines the human dynamics of hope in a fragile and vibrant new South Africa."
The world premiere is presented in association with the University of Missouri-Kansas City. It will play Oct. 13-24.
Mamba was born in Swaziland and is a graduate of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. In 2005, he participated in a World Theatre Lab workshop in Johannesburg where he developed, along with Ricardo Khan, the concepts that lead to Train to 2010. The World Theatre Lab is a multi-national writers' collective based in Johannesburg, London and New York. It was formed by Crossroads' co-founder Khan, who will direct Train to 2010.
The Crossroads season also includes: Holiday Jubilee!
Dec. 10-18
"The holiday season brings a youthful ensemble of artists to the stage in a cross-cultural musical celebration. With a blend of spiritual singers and dancers, a unique mix of energetic entertainment will bring together the global community to share the season."
Yesterdays: An Evening with Billie Holiday
By Reenie Upchurch
Directed by Woodie King, Jr.
Levi Barcourt, pianist and musical director
Feb. 17-27, 2011
"Set in May 1959 in a small New York nightclub, Yesterdays is a fictional dramatization with music depicting Billie Holiday's last performance as envisioned by playwright Reenie Upchurch who had seen the jazz singer perform near the end of her tumultuous career. Played by jazz vocalist Vanessa Rubin, the on-stage Billie Holiday intersperses songs with stories of her troubled life along with historical moments from the 1930s and 1940s jazz scene, including Bessie Smith and Artie Shaw." Expect songs including "Fine and Mellow," "Strange Fruit," "My Man," "Yesterdays" and "God Bless the Child."
A Raisin in the Sun
By Lorraine Hansberry
April 13-May 1, 2011
"This now 50-year-old dramatic classic is being performed on the Crossroads stage for the first time. A Raisin in the Sun takes place in the 1950s Chicago apartment of the Younger family as each member struggles with their vision of a better life and the use of the life insurance check from Walter Younger, Sr."
Genesis Festival of New and Emerging Voices
May 27-29, 2011
"The artistic pieces to be included and developed in the 2011 Festival will be announced in the spring. The Genesis Festival began in 1990 as the brainchild of artistic director Ricardo Khan and then New Play Development director Sydne Mahone as a means of giving voice to young writers and new, cutting edge forms of theatre in a nurturing and creative environment. Among plays that have found their way from Genesis to the world's stages are George C. Wolfe's Spunk, Anna Deveare Smith's Dream, Linda Nieves-Powell's Yo Soy Latina and original works by Ntozoke Shange, Ruby Dee and Ossie Davis."
Crossroads Theatre is at 7 Livingston Ave., New Brunswick, NJ. Visit www.CrossroadsTheatreCompany.org.
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Marshall Jones III is Crossroads' producing artistic director.
