Join the Revolution!

The Crossing: A Revolutionary New Musical

Farmers, wainwrights, coopers, students, printers, millers - the common denizen of colonial America who followed George Washington into the Delaware River Christmas Night 1776 to attempt a feat altogether uncommon. 

This is their story. 

The unsung heroes of the revolution.

They shall not be forgotten.

December 1776 - All seemed lost just five months after the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The British were in the driver's seat after continuously defeating Washington's initially optimistic army during the summer and fall. Now, those few remaining soldiers not lost to sickness or in battle were left starving – without enough clothing, ammunition, or pay. Congress left Philadelphia for fear of capture by British forces now occupying New Jersey and seemingly poised to attack the city. Civilians were accepting offers of amnesty and swearing renewed loyalty to King George. In just a few short weeks, most of the men left in Washington’s small dispirited army could go home as their enlistments ended, if they did not just walk away sooner, and no recruits were coming to replace them. These were the times that tried men’s souls.

Amid this seemingly tragic time, a few men and women found the courage and determination to change history. In the immortal words of Thomas Paine, they proved to be the opposite of summer soldiers who would shrink in the service of their country in its hour of desperation. No more defeat! No more retreat was their cry! Our history books immortalize Generals Washington, Greene, Knox, and Mercer, but overlook the names of the many men and women who gallantly carried out their leaders’ goals and plans. Prepare now to meet James, Gabriel, Jacob, Margaret and Abigail, who together helped to secure a newly independent nation founded on principles of freedom.

CREATIVE TEAM

John Allen Watts

Composer

A native New Yorker, John, has decades of experience composing, performing and producing music in a wide variety of popular musical styles, including pop, rock, blues, r&b, reggae and Brazilian jazz. His deep passion for songwriting eventually led him back to the world of musical theatre. After completing his first musical and two subsequent 29-hour AEA readings, John enrolled at the Graduate Musical Theatre Writing Program at NYU’s TISCH School for the Arts where he graduated in 2017. John is a theatrical composer and musical director at The Lucy Moses School in NYC. ASCAP, CTI, and Dramatists Guild.

Jason Alexander Huza

Book and Lyrics

From musical theater to film to novels, Jason enjoys writing in any form. His novels Delirium Tremens and Emma and Adam were published in 2017, Jason did co-book and additional lyrics for the musical It Happened in Key West which premiered on London’s West End in 2018. His play, Dante’s Omission was a Eugene O’Neill Playwriting Conference semi-finalist. An untitled pilot (co-written with Victor Colicchio - Summer of Sam)and a feature, The Ourang Medan, are both in early development. When Jason isn’t writing, you can find him in Manhattan earning his well-deserved reputation as the Greatest Husband and Father in the World.

Misti Wills

DIRECTOR

Misti is an award winning theatre director and educator working regionally and in New York City. Select directing credits include; Off-Broadway: Brilliant (Theatre Row), My Real Mother (New York Musical Festival, Outstanding Lead Performance Award), Tempest at La MaMa Etc. (Assistant Director)  Regional:  A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder (Greenville Theatre, SC), Sister Act (5 Star Theatricals, Ovation Recommended, Best Director Award for 5 Star Theatricals Subscriber Awards, L.A. Scenie Award Best Director for Larger Musical),  Hunchback of Notre Dame (5 Star Theatricals, L.A. Scenie Award Best Director of Larger Musical), My Fair Lady (Forestburgh Playhouse). Misti has assistant directed Karin Coonrod, Gabriel Barre and Scott Schwartz.  Misti holds a Master of Arts degree in Theater Education from Emerson College and is a certified K-12 performing arts teacher.  She has trained with Anne Bogart, Michael Mayer, David Mamet and Kristin Linklater.  She has been on the acting faculties of the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the New York Film Academy and Long Island University in Brooklyn.   Misti is a proud member of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.  

Managment and consultancy

Ten Crucial Days.org

Non-profit Partner

TenCrucialDays.org (TCD.org) is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting the sites and venues of the Trenton and Princeton campaigns – from December 25th, 1776, to January 3rd, 1777. TCD.org operates tours for Friends of Washington Crossing Park to Trenton’s Old Barracks Museum and the Princeton Battlefield. TCD.org is also a consultancy group of professional and public historians that provides information about the events, the people, and the significance of the American War for Independence in the Delaware Valley. TCD.org coFounder Roger S. Williams is a literary agent and publisher specializing in American History focused on British America, the American War for Independence, and the Early Republic. He is a member of the Company and Military Historians, the Society of Military History, and the Society for Historians of the Early American Republic.

William “Larry” Kidder

HistoriCAL ADVISOR

Larry has taught history for 40 years. He has been an active member of the Association for Living History, Farm, and Agricultural Museums and has served on the New Jersey Living History Advisory Council. He has been writer and editor for the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area program Meet Your Revolutionary Neighbors and has been an active member in organizations such as the Hopewell (NJ) Valley Historical Society, the Ewing (NJ) Historic Preservation Society, the Princeton Battlefield Society, the Washington Crossing American Revolution Round Table, and TenCrucialDays.org. In addition to periodical articles and other short pieces, he is the author of several books on colonial history and the early republic including, Crossroads of the Revolution: Trenton, 1774-1783 (2017), and Ten Crucial Days: Washington’s Vision for Victory Unfolds (2018), Revolutionary Princeton 1774 - 1783(2020), and The Revolutionary World of a Free Black Man: Jacob Francis 1754-1836.

GARY BERTON

Historical Adisor

Retired professor of Political Science and math teacher, a 50-year independent scholar of Thomas Paine, former Coordinator and founder of the Institute for Thomas Paine Studies at Iona University, current President of the Thomas Paine National Historical Association and an officer for 25 years, author of numerous articles on Thomas Paine, and currently the research director of the international Collected Works of Thomas Paine for Princeton University Press. Married with six grandchildren.

Evan bernardin productions

Evan Bernadin Productions is a full-service theatrical management company that has been integral in providing general management services. Their approach combines traditional practices with modern technological, organizational, and analytical tools, enhancing the logistical and organizational capabilities of The Crossing.