Sponsored by Carole and Dan Burack & Rhoda and Morris Levitt
WORLD PREMIERE MUSICAL
A Crossing
A DANCE MUSICAL
Created in Association with CALPULLI MEXICAN DANCE COMPANY
Choreographed by JOSHUA BERGASSE AND ALBERTO LOPEZ
Directed by JOSHUA BERGASSE
Story by MARK ST. GERMAIN
Original Songs by ZOE SARNAK
Traditional Mexican Folk Song Arrangements and Additional Score by GEORGE SÁENZ
Musical Supervisor: RICK HIP-FLORES
Story Consultant/Dramaturg: ALBERTO LOPEZ
Commissioned through the Sydelle Blatt New Works Commissioning Program
STREAMING ONLINE NOVEMBER 18–21
The show will be available to stream on-demand in your BSC account beginning 12:01am ET on Thursday, November 18, through 11:59pm ET on Sunday, November 21. You may watch the performance at any time during this period, as many times as you would like.
Pulsing with energy and emotional intensity, this story about a group of migrants crossing the southern border is raw, visceral and electrifying — demonstrating the personal impact of crossing an “invisible line.” The group faces many dangers, including the coyote — a human smuggler. This new dance musical ingeniously combines compelling lyrics, athletic choreography and elements of Mexican folk music to tell a remarkable tale of courage, fear and struggle.
The production runs 85 minutes without an intermission.
Sponsored in part by Audrey and Ralph Friedner & Rosita Sarnoff and Beth Sapery
“Bold, brash, bright, poignant and electrifying, and one of the most exciting dance theatre pieces to emerge in recent years. It sizzles with energy and compassion, and it sings and dances with abandon. Barrington Stage’s latest musical is exciting on every level.”
—The Westfield News
“An emotionally powerful experience that is visually enthralling and dramatically dynamic as it tells a relevant story.”
—WAMC
“BSC has produced not only one of the finest musicals in its impressive history of developing new work, but also a moving, inspirational tale of tragedy and hope that is more timely than ever.”
—Off Script with Dan Dwyer
“Poignant, stunningly beautiful, and highly relevant”
—Broadway World
“By now it’s apparent that one misses out on Barrington Stage Company musicals at one’s peril…simply the best…something to see and savor.”
—WBUR
“Every ounce of the imaginative work and thought…put into this highly theatrical piece shows in the solidly crafted, expertly performed.”
—The Berkshire Eagle
“Directed with a graceful naturalism by Joshua Bergasse and co-choreographed with Alberto Lopez with energy, heart and authenticity.”
—Variety
“This is a powerful theatrical experience, perhaps the most powerful show Barrington Stage has delivered to the Boyd-Quinson Stage.”
—Berkshire Bright Focus
“Brilliant, beautiful and very moving…the peak of artistic endeavor.”
—Rex Recommends
“Filled with beauty, warmth and emotion”
—Talkin’ Broadway
“This is a stunning new musical for all Americans.”
—Berkshire Fine Arts
A Crossing: A Dance Musical
In Rehearsal for A Crossing: A Dance Musical
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the dances and musical numbers from A Crossing: A Dance Musical. Footage is from the 2019 developmental workshop.
An interview with A Crossing Choreographers Alberto Lopez and Joshua Bergasse.
The Music of A Crossing: A Dance Musical with with Zoe Sarnak (Original Music) and George Sáenz (Traditional Mexican Folk Song Arrangements/Additional Score).
CAST
DIEGO LUIS CORTES (Ensemble) is ecstatic to be a part of this new production. Favorite regional credits include Newsies (Mush), West Side Story (Pepe) and The Wizard of Oz (Drag Apple Tree). He is a Virginia Beach native and recent graduate of Shenandoah Conservatory class of 2021. | |
CARLOS L. ENCINIAS* (Arturo) is thrilled to be a part of A Crossing. Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, studied Theatre at BYU, proud New Yorker since 2000. Broadway: Les Misérables (Fueilly), Mamma Mia! (u/s Eddie/Father A), Good Vibrations (u/s Jan/Class President) and Scandalous (Ramon) starring Carolee Carmello. Off Broadway: Altar Boyz (Juan/Abe/Mark). Regional: 42nd Street (Bert), Merry Go Round; Miss You Like Hell (Manuel), Olney; A Christmas Story (u/s Santa), Paper Mill Playhouse; Evita (Che), Phoenix Theatre; Man of La Mancha (Padre), Westport Playhouse; Cinderella (Prince), Sundance. Thank you BLOC! Para mi familia, amigos y mis queridos: Joe, Luca and Marco! For more info, check out carlosLencinias.com. |
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GABRIELLA ENRIQUEZ* (Ensemble, Dance Captain) is so excited to join this cast and creative team to share this story. Originally from Santa Fe, New Mexico, she is an OKCU Music Theatre grad based in NYC. Regional: In the Heights (Vanessa), Music Theatre Wichita; Jerome Robbins’ Broadway (Anita), TUTS; A Chorus Line (Morales), The LEX. TV: Law & Order: SVU. Big thanks to her familia at DGRW and at home for the love and support. For more info, visit gabriellaenriquez.com. | |
ASHLEY PÉREZ FLANAGAN* (Giselle) Broadway: Freestyle Love Supreme; Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812 (u/s Sonya, Princess Mary). Off Broadway: Freestyle Love Supreme, Ars Nova; In the Green, LCT3; The Lucky Ones, Ars Nova; Hadestown, NYTW; In Love With Jobim, York Theatre. Regional: A.R.T. — Moby-Dick, Natasha, Pierre…, Prometheus Bound; Evita, West Side Story, The Sound of Music. Select workshops: The Connector (JRB project); Cowboy Bob, NYSF; The Seeker, Public Theater. Concerts: Carnegie Hall, Jazz at Lincoln Center, Joe’s Pub, 54 Below. Film: The Kitchen. Ashley is a Lucille Lortel nominated actor and a member of the band Moondrunk. Orgullo para siempre. | |
JUSTIN GREGORY LOPEZ* (Martin) was most recently seen in Dave Malloy’s hit Off Broadway musical Octet as Toby (Drama Desk Ensemble Award Recipient) and NBC’s Emmy-winning, Grammy-nom’d Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert. Select regional credits include Evita (Che) at Asolo Repertory, Fun Home (Roy/Mark/Pete/Bobby) at Baltimore Center Stage, In the Heights (Usnavi) at the Ordway Center and Schuster Center, Lempicka (Ensemble) at Williamstown Theatre Festival, Paint Your Wagon (Armando) at the 5th Avenue Theatre (Gregory Award Nomination: Outstanding Supporting Actor). Client of Hudson Artists Agency. For my wife Isabel, my family and for those who came before us. IG: @JGregoryLopez | |
CALEB MARSHALL-VILLARREAL* (Quetzalcoatl, Ensemble) Credits include: Moulin Rouge! The Musical (OBC), La Traviata (Metropolitan Opera), Places, Please (short film), Good Morning America (Moulin Rouge), Gypsy (Studio Tenn), The Great Brown Bear (NY Fringe), West Side Story (Nashville Symphony), as well as several music videos and other dance shenanigans around New York City. Dedicating this performance to my big beautiful Mexican-American family. IG: @calebmarshallv67 | |
ALINE MAYAGOITIA* (Karina) dreams of shows like this one. Off Bway: Forbidden Broadway: The Next Generation. Regional: Kinky Boots, Into the Woods (Hangar Theatre); In the Heights (PCLO, The Ordway); Evita (Resident Theatre). TV: HBO’s Love Life. Aline is on a mission to make musical theatre education more inclusive and accessible via her YouTube channel: School to Stage. Twitter: @alinemayagoitia IG: @alinemayagoitia | |
OMAR NIEVES* (Coyote) is delighted to be making his Barrington Stage Company debut. Tours: Anastasia: The Broadway Musical First National Tour (Ensemble/Von Rothbart in Swan Lake). International Tours: West Side Story, IHI Stage Around Tokyo (Pepe/ u/s Bernardo). NYC: Smiley, Shadows. Regional: Godspell, La Cage aux Folles, Wit, Construyendo a Verónica (immersive). Born, raised and trained in Puerto Rico. Former principal dancer at several companies in the Island. He has performed pieces from Nacho Duato, Septime Webre & Ivan Perez, among others. Love and endless thanks to my incredible husband, chosen family, friends and my amazing people of LDC. IG: @omaruelom | |
ANDRES QUINTERO* (Sol) Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, Andres was just recently seen in BSC’s virtual production of Get Your Pink Hands Off Me Sucka and Give Me Back. NY Theatre: Fandango for Butterflies (La MaMa Theatre), Bat Out of Hell (NY City Center). National tours: Altar Boyz. Regional Theatre: In the Heights (North Carolina Theatre), The Unbelievables (El Dorado Showroom), The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee (Cleveland Play House), Giant (Signature Theatre, VA), Altar Boyz (Sacramento Music Circus), Temple of the Souls (Theatre for the New City), Rent (Gateway Playhouse). Film/TV: The Other Two, Law & Order: SVU, Madam Secretary, Odd Mom Out, Gaymers, Romance and The Digital Age. AMDA Graduate. IG: @Andresquin21 | |
MONICA TULIA RAMIREZ* (Luna) Recent credits: Evita (Eva Perón), Footloose (Rusty), Snapshots (Susie-Film), Godspell (By My Side), Working (Millwork). TV: Evil, Madam Secretary, Elementary. BFA, Ball State University. HCKR and Whole Artist Management. Thanks to my parents, brother and Alvaro. Love to Logan! IG: @monicatuliaramirez | |
STEFANIE RENEE SALYERS (Ernesto, Ensemble) BSC Debut! Stefanie is thrilled to join the cast of A Crossing! It’s a great privilege to be able to tell a new and authentic Latino story. Favorite credits include: Francisca in West Side Story (Weston Playhouse Theatre Company), Ensemble/Cyd Charisse u/s in Singin’ in the Rain (ZACH Theatre), Cha Cha/Frenchy u/s in Grease (Royal Caribbean Productions), Swing/Dance Captain in On Your Feet! (Prather Productions) and A Christmas Carol (ZACH Theatre). Huge thank you to McCorkle Casting, Joshua Bergasse and my incredibly supportive family and friends. @StefanieReneeSalyers | |
MIKAELA SECADA (Ensemble) is a new graduate of University of Michigan Musical Theatre Class of 2021, and from Miami, FL. She is so happy to be collaborating with such a talented group of artists! Previous credits at UMich include: Legally Blonde (Elle Woods), Sweet Charity (Helene), The Last Days Of Judas Iscariot (Saint Monica). Other credits: In the Heights (Carla) at MTWichita and West Side Story (Consuelo) at Lexington Theatre Co. She sends all her love to her family and friends who never fail to support her! Xoxo! |
CREATIVES
CALPULLI MEXICAN DANCE COMPANY is a not-for-profit organization founded in New York City in 2003. Calpulli’s mission is to celebrate the rich diversity of Mexican and Mexican-American cultural heritage through dance-based programming including live music. To this end, the organization produces professional performances via its touring company, designs arts-in-education programming, and provides low-cost, high-quality arts-in-education programming throughout New York City, most notably its program Calpulli Community. Calpulli aspires to be an entity that is celebrated by its community — while remaining accessible to a broader, mainstream audience — for its high-quality artistic works and also for the integrity of its organization. The name “Calpulli” was chosen for, in the Nahuatl language, it means “family” and “big house.” — a calpulli of dancers, musicians, and teaching artists.
JOSHUA BERGASSE† (Director/Choreographer) Associate Artist. BSC:
ALBERTO LOPEZ (Choreographer/Story Consultant/Dramaturg) is a Choreographer, Costume Designer/Maker and Teaching Artist with 30+ years of experience in Mexican dance. Originally from Puebla, he began his studies of Mexican folkloric dance at the age of 12. He completed the National Dance Institute’s Teaching Artist training in New York, and creates traditional garments. Under his Artistic Direction, Calpulli Mexican Dance Company has performed at venues including Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival (Inside/Out Series), Wortham Center (Houston, TX), the Kingdom of Bahrain and Lincoln Center Out of Doors, where Dance Critic Brian Siebert hailed Calpulli a “terrific company” after its performance.
MARK ST. GERMAIN (Story) wrote this season’s play Eleanor. Others seen at BSC include Freud’s Last Session, Becoming Dr. Ruth, The Best of Enemies and Dancing Lessons. His play Dad was produced this season by the Great Barrington Public Theater. He is the author of the humorous memoir Walking Evil, How Man’s Best Friend Became My Worst Enemy, available on Amazon. With composer Randy Courts, he’s written the musicals The Gifts of the Magi and Johnny Pye. With John Markus he wrote the comedy The Fabulous Lipitones. He co-wrote the screenplay for Carroll Ballard’s film Duma and directed the documentary My Dog, An Unconditional Love Story.
ZOE SARNAK (Original Songs) is a Jonathan Larson Award recipient, and finalist for the Ebb, Kleban, and Billie Burke Ziegfeld awards. Her work has been developed with and presented by BSC, Second Stage, The Public, Roundabout Theatre Company, Williamstown Theatre Festival, Geffen Playhouse, New York Theatre Workshop, 5th Avenue Theatre, MCC and many others. Upcoming: Afterwords (Spring 2022, 5th Avenue Theatre), Shook, Galileo, Split, Empire Records, The Lonely Few and others. TV/Film in development: a musical TV show with 20th Century Fox/Danny Strong Productions and Netflix movie musical with Lauren Miller Rogen. Her music has been featured by NY Times Live and BBC. Twitter: @zoesarnak Twitter: @zoesarnak
GEORGE SÁENZ (Traditional Mexican Folk Song Arrangements/Additional Score/Orchestrator) Multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and educator, George Sáenz is originally from Laredo, Texas. He graduated from Berklee College of Music in Boston, MA where he studied Music Performance and Jazz Composition and currently resides in New York City. He serves as musical director and educator for NYC’s Calpulli Mexican Dance Company, and works as a freelance musician with various acclaimed musical projects in and around NYC, including as trombonist-accordionist and arranger with multi Grammy Award-winning artist Lila Downs. His travels have led him to performances and productions around the world throughout Europe, Latin America, as well as extensive tours of the United States and Canada.
RICK HIP-FLORES (Musical Supervisor) is currently the associate musical director of Ain’t Too Proud on Broadway. He was previously the musical director of Natasha, Pierre… on Broadway, and music supervisor of In Transit, Broadway’s first a cappella musical. Additionally he has conducted seven other Broadway shows including Fun Home, Come From Away, A Bronx Tale, Groundhog Day, Beautiful, Rocky and the Radio City Rockettes. Rick’s arrangements and orchestrations have been performed by the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall and Radio City Music Hall. Most recently, he was awarded the Kennedy Center Musical Theater Award for his work on Daddy Issues, written with Ted Malawar.
JEFFREY CAMPOS (Musical Director) Nat’l Tours: Jekyll & Hyde, A Chorus Line, The Wizard of Oz, Oklahoma!, Annie, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Regional Credits: Ogunquit Playhouse, Florida Studio Theatre, Cortland Rep, Gateway Playhouse, Meadow Brook Theatre. NYC: A Stoop on Orchard Street (Off Broadway), NYC Mayor’s Awards for Arts and Culture, Broadway Backwards (orchestrations), NYMF, NYC Fringe and numerous shows at the Astoria Performing Arts Center as resident musical supervisor. He is also on the musical staff for Royal Caribbean International.
BEOWULF BORITT (Scenic Designer) BSC: Chester Bailey, The Pirates of Penzance, On the Town, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. 23 Broadway shows including: Act One (Tony Award), The Scottsboro Boys (Tony Nomination), Therese Raquin (Tony Nomination), Come from Away, Freestyle Love Supreme, The New One, A Bronx Tale, Hand to God, Sondheim on Sondheim, …Spelling Bee, LoveMusik and On the Town. Off Broadway: 100 shows including The Last Five Years, Fiddler on the Roof (in Yiddish) and Miss Julie. He has designed for NYC Ballet and Ringling Brothers Circus and around the world in England, Russia, China, Australia and Japan.
ALEJO VIETTI (Costume Designer) BSC: Eleanor, The Royal Family of Broadway, Sweet Charity, Follies, The Human Comedy, Travels with My Discontent, Guys & Dolls, Presto Change-O. An Argentine native, he immigrated to the U.S. in the late 1990s. He has designed for Broadway and Off Broadway, as well as for Roundabout Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, Radio City Rockettes, NYC Center Encores!, Atlantic Theatre Company, NYC Opera, Primary Stages, The Irish Rep, MCC and Ensemble Studio Theatre, among other New York companies. He has also extensively designed for regional theatres across the U.S., commercial projects, operas, ballets and for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. He is an Olivier and Drama Desk nominee and the recipient of the 2010 TDF Irene Sharaff Young Master Award.
JASON LYONS (Lighting Designer) BSC: The Pirates of Penzance, The Black Suits, On the Town and Kiss Me, Kate. Broadway: Hand to God, On the Town, Bronx Bombers, Bring It On, Rock of Ages, The Threepenny Opera, Barefoot in the Park and Good Vibrations. Recent: Gloria: A Life (ART & McCarter); Austen’s Pride (5th Ave); Junk (Arena Stage); Skylight (McCarter); Jerome Robbins’ Broadway (TUTS); Clueless (The New Group); Sugar In Our Wounds (MTC); Between the Lines (KC Rep); Romy & Michele’s… (5th Ave); Familiar, Robin Hood, Red Velvet, Macbeth, Love’s Labour’s Lost (Old Globe); Kings, Dry Powder, Barbecue (Public); Crazy for You, Jesus Christ Superstar, La Cage Aux Folles, Girlstar, Cabaret (Signature); Heathers (NWS). Obie Award for Sustained Excellence in Lighting Design. jasonlyonsdesign.com
LEON ROTHENBERG (Sound Designer) BSC Debut. Recent Broadway: Hillary and Clinton; The Waverly Gallery; Mike Birbiglia: The New One; The Boys in the Band; A Doll’s House, Part 2. NY: Playwrights’ Horizons, Classic Stage Company, NYCC, Primary Stages, Second Stage, Manhattan Theatre Club, Public Theater, others. Regional: Arizona Theatre Company, Huntington Theater, Arena Stage, A.C.T., Old Globe, Pasadena Playhouse, Geffen Playhouse, Portland Center Stage, Seattle Rep, La Jolla, Two River Theater, City Theater Pittsburgh, Williamstown Theater Festival, NY Stage and Film. International: Cirque du Soleil, National Theatre of Cyprus, Dijon International Festival. Tony Award for Sound Design: The Nance. klaxson.net
JEFF SUGG (Projection Designer) is a Tony-nominated designer with over 20 years in the performing arts. His work ranges from experimental to Broadway. Select credits include: Broadway: TINA — The Tina Turner Musical, All My Sons, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Sweat, Bring It On, 33 Variations. West End: TINA — The Tina Turner Musical. Off Broadway & Regional credits include work at St. Ann’s Warehouse, Second Stage, Playwrights Horizons, The Public, Steppenwolf, The Old Globe, Mark Taper Forum, Oregon Shakespeare, Arena Stage and many others. Music: Flower Power (LA Phil), Fire In My Mouth (NY Phil), Anthracite Fields (worldwide) and Prince’s final appearance on SNL. Awards: Lucille Lortel Award, Obie Award, Bessie Award and two Henry Hewes Design Awards.
JASON BROUILLARD* (Production Stage Manager) Broadway: Big Fish, Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark, The Best Man, Bonnie & Clyde, Baby It’s You, West Side Story, Jersey Boys, LoveMusik, Hairspray, Frog and Toad, Dance of the Vampires, The Civil War. Tours: Dear Evan Hansen, An Evening with Patti LuPone & Mandy Patinkin, John Lithgow: Stories by Heart, Ragtime, Company, Chess. Off Broadway: Sakina’s Restaurant, Trip of Love, Satchmo at the Waldorf, The Cocoanuts, If I Forget. Alliance Theatre: Ever After. Paper Mill Playhouse: Half Time. Ogunquit Playhouse: Bullets Over Broadway, Grumpy Old Men. Westport Country Playhouse: In the Heights. Tennessee P.A.C.: Part of the Plan.
JOAN WYATT* (Assistant Stage Manager, Fight Captain) is delighted to be making her BSC debut! A Canadian-born, New York-based stage manager and event professional, she works primarily in the development of new musicals. Select theatrical credits include A Christmas Carol (Broadway), Holiday Inn (Broadway and Paper Mill Playhouse), Coal Country (The Public Theater), SEMBLANCE (New York Theatre Workshop), Afterglow (Off Broadway) and Sleep No More (Punchdrunk). Thanks to Jason and Deanna, and the rest of this incredible team.
MCCORKLE CASTING LTD; PAT MCCORKLE, Nathan Francis, Rebecca Weiss (Casting) (C.S.A.) Associate Artist. Casting actors for Barrington Stage for 19 years. Broadway: Over 50 productions including On the Town, Amazing Grace, End of the Rainbow, The Lieutenant of Inishmore, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Amadeus, She Loves Me, A Few Good Men. Off Broadway: highlights — Clever Little Lies; Sheer Madness; Tribes; Our Town (Barrow Street); Freud’s Last Session; Toxic Avenger; Almost, Maine; Driving Miss Daisy. Feature film: Premium Rush, Ghost Town, The Thomas Crown Affair, Die Hard with a Vengeance, School Ties, etc. Television: Twisted, St. George, Sesame Street, Hack, Californication, Max Bickford, Chappelle’s Show, Strangers with Candy, Barbershop, etc. mccorklecasting.com
CHARLIE SIEDENBURG (Berkshire Press Representative) (16th Season) Associate Artist. Charlie joined the BSC family in 2005 and has represented over 130 BSC productions. His work has led to features in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, USA Today and American Theatre Magazine. His many PR credits include the Metropolitan Opera (Live in HD), Paper Mill Playhouse (1999–2004), George Street Playhouse, Hartford Stage, Goodspeed Musicals, Long Wharf Theatre, Surflight Theatre and Two River Theater Company. He serves as Press Rep for Wagner College Theatre, The Minty Awards, Ghostlight Productions and In The Wings Productions. Charlie is a 1995 Theatre/Arts Administration graduate of Wagner College on Staten Island, where he currently teaches Theatre Appreciation. Last year he was appointed Director of Alumni Relations for his alma mater, Moore Catholic High School.
THE PRESS ROOM (National Press Representatives) Broadway: Hamilton, The Book of Mormon and upcoming productions of The Brothers Size, Chasing Rainbows, Born for This, Paradise Square and Working Girl: The Musical. Recent Broadway credits: The Waverly Gallery, Three Tall Women, Farinelli and the King. Off Broadway: Gloria: A Life, Beyond Babel. Other clients include: Vineyard Theatre, The Wooster Group, Shakespeare’s Globe, Theatre Row, Rosie’s Theater Kids, Hunter Theater Project, NY Classical Theatre, Southern California’s 3-D Theatricals, the award-winning web series “Indoor Boys,” actor/pianist Hershey Felder, Why Not Theatre’s Mahabharata for the Shaw Festival, and Miami New Drama’s world premiere musical, A Wonderful World.