July 2 & 3 Performances at Passage Theatre on the Site of the Battle of Trenton in 1776
JUNE 26, 2026 — Trenton hosted two great battles of the American Revolution nearly 250 years ago. On July 2nd and 3rd, a revolutionary new musical, The Crossing, will be performed on the same hallowed ground, at the Passage Theatre, as part of Trenton’s Heritage Week, on the eve of the nation’s 250th birthday on July 4th.
The Passage Theatre shows will mark the first time the creative team has presented the musical’s powerful first act, as they continue to prepare for the show’s world premiere at the Patriots Theater at the War Memorial in Trenton on December 26, 2026, the exact 250th anniversary of George Washington’s historic victory at the Battle of Trenton.
Thomas Paine inspires with words and song.
Tickets are $35 and can be purchased online at thecrossingmusical.com/events. The Passage Theatre Company operates in the Mill Hill Playhouse at 205 East Front Street in Trenton. The 100-seat venue is an 1873 Gothic Revival church that has hosted community theater for decades on part of Trenton’s revolutionary battlefield.
Featuring book and lyrics by Jason Huza and music by John Allen Watts, The Crossing tells the dramatic story of the desperate days surrounding Washington’s legendary crossing of the Delaware River and the extraordinary individuals whose courage changed the course of history.
“The Crossing isn’t simply about George Washington,” said composer John Allen Watts. “It tells the story of the ordinary men and women—Black and white, free and enslaved, soldiers and civilians—whose courage, sacrifice, and determination helped give birth to a nation. We want audiences to see themselves in this story.”
At the heart of the musical is Thomas Paine (speaking in photo above), whose immortal words from The American Crisis—”These are the times that try men’s souls”—helped inspire a weary Continental Army at one of its darkest moments. The workshop also highlights the stories of William “Billy” Lee, Washington’s trusted valet and constant companion, and Jacob Francis, a free Black soldier from central New Jersey whose life has become one of the Revolution’s most important rediscovered stories (portrayed in photo below).
Martin Hargrove’s opera roles include His operatic roles include Colline, in La Boheme, Figaro in Le Nozze di Figaro, Sparafucile and Monterone in Rigoletto, Angelotti in Tosca, Jake in Porgy and Bess,
Rather than a finished production, this special workshop invites audiences into the creative process, presenting a large excerpt from Act One in an intimate concert-style format. It offers a unique opportunity to witness the development of a major new American musical while experiencing many of its most compelling songs, characters, and dramatic moments.
“The Crossing brings history to life through the emotional power of musical theatre,” said book writer and lyricist Jason Huza. “Our goal is not only to entertain audiences, but to reconnect them with the remarkable people whose choices shaped the nation we know today.”
The production has been developed in collaboration with leading Revolutionary War historians and educators and serves as the centerpiece of a broader educational initiative designed to inspire civic engagement through history. In addition to the full-scale production, the creative team has developed classroom resources and educational programs for schools throughout New Jersey and beyond.
Roger S. Williams, founder of TenCrucialDays.org and co-producer of the project, believes the musical arrives at exactly the right moment.
“As our nation marks its 250th anniversary, there is no better time to celebrate New Jersey’s pivotal role in American independence,” Williams said. “The Crossing reminds us that the victories at Trenton and Princeton renewed hope for the American cause and forever changed history.”
Momentum continues to build around the project beyond the stage. The creative team is working with communities throughout New Jersey to designate The Crossing as the Official State Musical of New Jersey, recognizing the state’s central role in the Revolutionary War. Municipal resolutions supporting the effort are already being adopted across the state. You can help by signing the petition.
James Nicholas created the Role of Phillip Gardner on the Emmy Award-Winning Series Broadwalk Empire on HBO.
The workshop presentation offers audiences an opportunity to experience the musical while helping shape its journey toward its landmark world premiere in December.
For performance information, tickets, or to support the production and sign the petition to designate The Crossing as New Jersey’s Official State Musical, visit TheCrossingMusical.com.
About The Crossing
The Crossing: A Revolutionary New Musical is an original American musical with book and lyrics by Jason Huza and music by John Allen Watts. Developed in partnership with historians and educators, the musical tells the story of George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware River and the Ten Crucial Days that transformed the American Revolution through the perspectives of both famous and overlooked figures whose courage helped create a nation. The world premiere is scheduled for December 26, 2026, at the Patriots Theatre at the War Memorial in Trenton, New Jersey, commemorating the exact 250th anniversary of the Battle of Trenton.
About TenCrucialDays.org
TenCrucialDays.org is a New Jersey-based nonprofit dedicated to commemorating the pivotal events of December 1776 and January 1777 that saved the American Revolution. For more information, visit tencrucialdays.org.