Passage Theatre, Trenton's premiere professional theater company, will present the world premiere of Trenton Lights, a new play with music, May 20 through June 6 at the Mill Hill Playhouse in Trenton.
The ensemble theater piece is created by Passage Artistic Directors
June Ballinger and
David Lee White. But they don't claim authorship! "It's written by the Trenton community young and old," explains Ballinger, "and it's relevant to any American post-industrial ‘rust belt' city reinventing itself." Ballinger, who for years created interview-based theater prior to her tenure at Passage, and White, a professional playwright who has engaged in this style of work in addition to a string of popular, deliciously irreverent comedies, teamed together to build this play last year. Together they have interviewed over 40 people from all corners of Trenton. Interviewees include members of Shiloh Baptist Church, the
Jewish Community Center, The Guatemalan Civic Association, the Ecuadorian Civic Association, Leadership Trenton, The Trenton Area Soup Kitchen, St. Michael's Episcopal Church and numerous individuals.
David Lee White, the author of this season's sell out Blood: A Comedy, describes this new work as, "a musical play that reaches beyond the headlines, history books and news reports. Trenton Lights is a theatrical revelation of the many voices that make Trenton, NJ what it is today...and will be tomorrow." Ballinger states that, "Trenton has always been a city of immigrants and it continues to be...people who came here and continue to come here because they believe in the American dream. We can learn a lot from their sprit."
Trenton Lights is directed by Adam Immerwahr, a Trenton resident, Passage's Resident Director and Producing Associate at Princeton's McCarter Theatre. Original composition is by Vince di Mura, musical consultant for the Dept of Theater and Dance at Princeton University and professor of jazz piano at the Lawrenceville School in Lawrenceville, NJ. Musical Direction and accompaniment is by Cris Frisco, on the Music Theatre faculty at Westminster Choir College in Princeton NJ.
The professional
Actors' Equity acting ensemble includes
June Ballinger, from Trenton; Kala Moses Baxter and Ross Beschler, from Philadelphia; Devon Jordan, from Princeton and Rodney Gilbert, from Newark. This season Passage has made a move to become less "New York-centric" as in previous years. Ballinger and White believe that in order for a small regional theatre to thrive - particularly in the current economy - it must be community-based. They claim, "Audiences like to see people they know on the stage and it is our plan to have a "resident" company from which to pull our talent."
Passage Theatre performs in the historic Mill Hill Playhouse an intimate 100-seat theater in the heart of downtown Trenton adjacent to the beautiful Mill Hill district. Security-guarded on-street parking is available along the park (regardless of signage) directly in front of the theatre. To reserve tickets, please call (609) 392-0766 or visit online at
www.passagetheatre.org Tickets can also be purchased at the Passage Theatre Office: 219 East Hanover Street in Trenton, Monday through Friday from 12:00 pm - 5:30 pm or at the box office, one hour before each performance at the Mill Hill Playhouse.
Trenton Lights has been made possible by the generosity of the Princeton Area Community Foundation with additional support from Ann and Barry Ridings of Princeton, the Rose and Louis H. Linowitz Foundation and I Am Trenton Community Foundation.
Season supporters include the Geraldine R Dodge Foundation; The National Endowment for the Arts; The NJ State Council on the Arts; The City of Trenton Dept. of Recreation, Natural Resources and Culture; WIMG 1300, The Times of Trenton; The Curtis McGraw Foundation, PNC Bank and The Trenton Marriott at Lafayette Yard, The James Kerney Foundation, the Garfield Foundation
For over 20 years, Passage Theatre has developed and showcased new work by emerging and established playwrights. As a key participant in the revitalization of urban Trenton, Passage presents outstanding plays that celebrate experiences common to all and transcend culture and race.
Accessibility
Passage Theatre is committed to ensuring that all individuals have access to the joy of the performing arts. Passage is dedicated to being a leader in the education and assistance of all organizations, working towards making our programs and services accessible to people with disabilities. For more information, please call (609) 392-0766.
Passage Theatre Company is a member of the New Jersey Theatre Alliance, ArtPride New Jersey, Theatre Communications Group, GMCCC (Greater Mercer County Chamber of Commerce), and the newly formed Arts and Business Council of Greater Trenton.
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