Studebaker Theater, P3 Productions and Audible, in collaboration with Teatro Vista Productions, present the Chicago premiere of the groundbreaking, award-winning new hip-hop musical MEXODUS.
In the mid 1800s, several thousands of slaves escaped to freedom going south. History classes fail to teach that a section of the underground railroad went from Texas to Mexico. Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson have teamed up to educate the public on how Mexico helped Americans flee persecution and seek refuge. Quijada and Robinson take the unfamiliar truths of the past and concoct an unforgettable lesson for the present. The creative duo team up as writers and performers to compose an inventive musical. The results… 4 Lucille Lortel, 4 Outer Critics Circle, 3 Drama Desk, 1 Drama League, and 1 Off Broadway Alliance Award(s). Now, Chicago has a chance to experience MEXODUS for ourselves.
The storytelling is unique! It’s a mash-up of audio and visual, instruments and movement, humor and drama, and education and entertainment. Director David Mendizábal and Choreographer Tony Thomas orchestrate the twosome in weaving the tale. Quijada and Robinson start out playfully interacting with the audience. They explain the process of recording their mixes. They will pluck a cello, strum a guitar, or blow a horn then play it back with other layered sounds. The talented guys not only play multiple instruments, they sing, dance, and captivate.
At the core of MEXODUS is a relationship resulting from an incident. A slave is attacked by the master’s wife and then the master. In the ensuing confrontation, the master is killed. The slave runs and is given shelter and support by a Tejano farmer. Although heritage divides them, adversity unites them. Henry and Carlos become friends. That friendship is the theatrical representation of the bromance between Quijada and Robinson.
MEXODUS feels less like a staged show and more like friends in a jam session. Q&R are having fun creating art. And they’ve invited us to be a part of it. Their collaboration is a unique blend of culture and personalities. It is uplifting! The musical storytelling generates a joyful vibe and message that sends the audience dancing out into the real world.
Running Time: One hundred minutes with no intermission
At Studebaker Theatre, 410 S. Michigan
Written and performed by Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson
Choreographed by Tony Thomas
Directed by David Mendizábal
Sunday, November 8 at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 10 at 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 11 at 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 12 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Friday, November 13 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 14 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 15 at 1:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, November 17 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, November 18 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, November 19 at 11 a.m. (student matinee)
Friday, November 20 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 21 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Thru November 21
For more information or tickets
Production photos by Thomas Mundell
For more Chicago theatre information and reviews, please visit Theatre in Chicago
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