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New Jersey’s most important story of the American Revolution has inspired a musical—The Crossing—that is making its debut this summer through a series of preview concerts, just as the nation is celebrating its 250th anniversary.
On Christmas night 1776, with the American Revolution hanging by a thread, General George Washington led a desperate crossing of the Delaware River into New Jersey. What followed — stunning victories at Trenton and Princeton — turned the tide of the war and renewed a nation’s hope. Now, 250 years later, those ten crucial days are coming to life on stage.
The Crossing, a sweeping new American musical inspired by Washington’s legendary gambit, will make its world premiere at the Patriots Theater in Trenton on December 26, 2026 — the 250th anniversary of the Battle of Trenton. This month, the musical’s creators are beginning a series of preview concert performances while launching a fundraising and petition drive aimed at making The Crossing New Jersey’s “official musical.”
“The Crossing reimagines Washington’s crossing of the Delaware, spotlighting the diverse, often overlooked voices of the Continental Army,” said John Allen Watts, the musical’s composer and a musical director at The Lucy Moses School in New York City.
The show centers on Thomas Paine, whose galvanizing essay The American Crisis — with its immortal opening, “These are the times that try men’s souls” — helped inspire the victories at Trenton. Also featured are two important African American figures from the historical record: William “Billy” Lee, General Washington’s valet and constant companion, and Jacob Francis, a New Jersey born soldier who went on to serve in the Hunterdon County militia.
The production is a joint effort of the creative team and the nonprofit Ten Crucial Days, which is raising funds to bring the show to the stage. The team is also pursuing a formal resolution in the New Jersey State Legislature to designate The Crossing as the official musical of New Jersey.
“The Crossing honors the courage and resilience of ordinary people whose choices shaped a nation,” said Jason Huza, the musical’s book writer and lyricist and an accomplished novelist and playwright.
Roger S. Williams, a founder of TenCrucialDays,org, underscored the production’s historical and civic significance: “The story of the crossing and the victories at Trenton and Princeton is New Jersey’s most important and famous contribution to American history.”
The campaign for official state recognition is already gaining momentum. In May, Franklin Township became the first municipality in New Jersey to pass a resolution in support, and more are expected to follow.
"Franklin Township was proud to host a preview concert of The Crossing earlier this year," said Mayor Phil Kramer. "They earned a standing ovation from our residents, and we enthusiastically support The Crossing to be named New Jersey's official musical."
Individuals interested in supporting the effort to make The Crossing the official musical of New Jersey can sign a new online petition at thecrossingmusical.com.
The momentum has been building since a sold-out, 60-minute concert version of the musical in February drew audiences hungry for this story.
Preview Performances This Summer
Audiences across New Jersey can experience The Crossing before its December premiere through a series of preview concerts and workshops. Tickets and updates are available at thecrossingmusical.com.
- June 14, 3:30 PM — Stangl Stage, Flemington | 30-minute Tavern Preview — Free admission Details here. (https://www.flemingtondiy.org/barn-dance/)
- June 20, 3 PM & 8 PM — Hopewell Valley Stage | 60-minute Concert Preview—Buy tickets here.(https://hvstage.easy-ware-ticketing.com/eventsByMovie/A000000018)
- July 2, 7 PM & July 3, 3 PM — Passage Theater, Trenton | 60-minute Concert Preview — buy tickets here. (https://www.tickettailor.com/events/tencrucialdaysorg/2244456)
- August 29, 2 PM — William Trent House, Trenton | 30-minute Tavern Preview — Free admission
- September 25 & 26—Hunterdon County Historic Courthouse, Flemington, 60-minute Concert Preview—Details coming soon!
Additional performances will be announced in the coming weeks.
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 www.tencrucialdays.org and www.thecrossingmusical.com.