Roxey Ballet Brings History to Life With "Washington Crossing the Delaware"

LAMBERTVILLE, NJ/NEW HOPE, PA — As the nation commemorates the 250th Anniversary of the United States, Roxey Ballet, the Delaware River region’s only professional dance company, will present the world premiere of "George Washington Crossing the Delaware," a powerful new dance work celebrating one of the defining moments in American history.

The performances will take place on July 3 at 3:45 and 8:30 p.m. on the open-air stage at Lambertville Station, overlooking the historic Delaware River where General George Washington and his troops made their legendary crossing in December 1776.

Created exclusively for the Lambertville–New Hope Joint America250 Celebration, the production is choreographed by Roxey Ballet Founder and Artistic Director Mark Roxey and features an original musical score by acclaimed composers Richard Jarboe and Robert Sands, with lyrics by Richard Jarboe.

In a tribute to America’s founding, audiences will experience this inspiring new ballet performed on the very banks of the Delaware River where history was made nearly 250 years ago. Few artistic performances can claim such an authentic connection to the events they portray, making this production a truly once-in-a-generation cultural experience.

Blending athletic choreography, cinematic storytelling, and an emotionally charged original score, George Washington Crossing the Delaware captures the courage, sacrifice, perseverance, and vision that forever changed the course of American history. The production invites audiences to witness the Revolutionary spirit through the universal language of dance while honoring the enduring ideals of freedom and unity.

The evening performance reaches its dramatic climax with a live recreation of Emanuel Leutze’s iconic masterpiece, "Washington Crossing the Delaware," bringing one of America’s most celebrated works of art to life before the audience. As the final tableau fades, the celebration continues with a spectacular fireworks display illuminating the night sky over the Delaware River immediately following the 8:30 PM performance.

“Presenting this work on the very shoreline where Washington’s daring crossing changed the course of history is both humbling and inspiring,” said Mark Roxey, Founder and Artistic Director of Roxey Ballet. “Our hope is that audiences leave with a renewed appreciation for the bravery, sacrifice, and vision that shaped our nation while experiencing the emotional power that only live performance can provide.”

As the Delaware River region’s only professional dance company, Roxey Ballet has spent more than 30 years producing innovative performances, preserving the arts, educating thousands of young people, and enriching communities throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania. This world premiere continues the company’s tradition of creating bold new works that connect history, culture, and community through the transformative power of dance.

Performance Schedule

Thursday, July 3

• 3:45 p.m. – George Washington Crossing the Delaware
• 8:30 p.m. – Evening Performance featuring the live recreation of Emanuel Leutze’s Washington Crossing the Delaware.
  
• Immediately following the 8:30 p.m. performance, fireworks and a drone show will light the sky over the Delaware River

The performances are free and open to the public as part of the Lambertville–New Hope Joint America's 250th Celebration.

For more information about Roxey Ballet, visit roxeyballet.org.