Cross Roads: An Igbo Folktale

by J. Corey Buckner

Using traditional African storytelling and the soulful music of Delta Blues artists including Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, and of course Robert Johnson, Cross Roads is a magical retelling of the Robert Johnson myth. Centering on the relationship between Robert and the Hoodoo God of the Crossroads, Legba, this is a story about choice, faith, sacrifice, and what it takes to play the Blues.

Using traditional African storytelling and the soulful music of Delta Blues artists including Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, and of course Robert Johnson, Cross Roads is a magical retelling of the Robert Johnson myth. Centering on the relationship between Robert and the Hoodoo God of the Crossroads, Legba, this is a story about choice, faith, sacrifice, and what it takes to play the Blues.

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Cross Roads: An Igbo Folktale

Recommended by

  • Samantha Marchant: Cross Roads: An Igbo Folktale by J. Corey Buckner
    “

    Love the myth and the music! Great details like the fly attracted to the lightbulb analogy to Robert coming back to Mississippi.

    Love the myth and the music! Great details like the fly attracted to the lightbulb analogy to Robert coming back to Mississippi.

    ”
  • Andy Boyd: Cross Roads: An Igbo Folktale by J. Corey Buckner
    “

    J. Corey's play is a brilliant re-examination of the Robert Johnson legend told through the prism of African and African-American folklore. It's a play that asks, what do artists give up to follow our dreams, and is it worth it?

    J. Corey's play is a brilliant re-examination of the Robert Johnson legend told through the prism of African and African-American folklore. It's a play that asks, what do artists give up to follow our dreams, and is it worth it?

    ”
  • Conor McShane: Cross Roads: An Igbo Folktale by J. Corey Buckner
    “

    As a music and folklore nerd, I was blown away by Mr. Buckner's take on the tale of Robert Johnson at the crossroads, its synthesis of Igbo legend and spirituality with this modern American myth is so fascinating and well-rendered. It can be challenging (to me anyway) to write historical figures as fully-fledged dramatic characters, but this play pulls it off beautifully.

    As a music and folklore nerd, I was blown away by Mr. Buckner's take on the tale of Robert Johnson at the crossroads, its synthesis of Igbo legend and spirituality with this modern American myth is so fascinating and well-rendered. It can be challenging (to me anyway) to write historical figures as fully-fledged dramatic characters, but this play pulls it off beautifully.

    ”
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This is to be performed with an all black cast. The characters of HOODOO WOMAN and GRIOT are played by the same actor. The character of LEGBA is written as a Non binary/Gender Non Conforming character.