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Two innovative works of musical theatre that uplift and uncover hidden histories of Black and Brown Americans
In Mexodus, we’re introduced to Henry, an enslaved Texan who fled to freedom by taking the Underground Railroad South versus North. Upon arriving in emancipated Mexico, he is taken in by Carlos, a military medic-turned-farmworker. Over time, the unlikely pair sift through language barriers and cultural differences to find that their struggles are more alike than they realized. Through beats both narrative and musical, Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson crafted a wholly unique musical experience, and as Robinson defined it: “a reverse border story that venerates ancestors.”
The second piece in this double-volume pokes holes in yet another history lesson: during the Civil Rights Movement, where did Latinx folks fit in? Part coming-of-age story, part one-person hip-hop musical, Quijada’s Where Did We Sit on the Bus? is an examination of Latinidad in America, both past and present. Growing up a child of immigrants, how do you hold on to your cultural identity when everything around you is encouraging you to assimilate?
Praise for Mexodus
“A dazzling showcase not just for what music can be, but also for the ecstasy of making it.”
—New York Times (Critic’s Pick)
“Mexodus is not just a history lesson…it's an inspiring exploration of friendship, cultural divides, and what it means to be free.”
—Theatrely
Praise for Where Did We Sit on the Bus?
“Bursting with comedy, wit, and thoughtful self-examination, Brian Quijada’s 90-minute autobiographical show is a one-man marvel!”
—Around The Town Chicago
“As funny as it is poignant: expertly crafted, deftly poetic, and unabashedly authentic. You’ll laugh, cry, cheer—your only regret will be that you didn’t get to do it longer.”
—Chicago Reader
Brian Quijada is an Emmy-nominated playwright, actor, and composer. His plays have been developed at The Kennedy Center, Ars Nova's Antfest, Victory Gardens’ Ignition Festival, New Stage and Film’s Powerhouse Festival, Pittsburgh CLO’s Spark Festival, and the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center’s National Musical Theatre Conference. His work for the stage includes the award-winning live-looping musical Mexodus; the hip-hop solo show Where Did We Sit on the Bus?; the TYA play Kid Prince and Pablo; and the cumbia/hip-pop musical Somewhere Over the Border. Commissioning institutions include A.R.T.in Boston, 1st Stage, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Woolly Mammoth, Hero Theatre, and The Kennedy Center. As an educator, Brian has served as an adjunct musical solo performance professor at Harvard University and has taught solo performance, social justice, verse writing, and devised theatrical looping master classes for Carnegie Mellon University, Point Park University, University of New Mexico, KCATCF, Western Washington University.
Nygel D. Robinson is a singer, actor, writer, music producer, and multi-instrumentalist based in Chicago, IL. As a writer and composer, Nygel’s credits include Mexodus (New York Times' Critics Pick, 3x Helen Hayes Award Winner); Santa Claus is Coming to Town at Baltimore Center Stage; and R&J: Fire on the Bayou with Kevin Ramsey. Select acting credits include Bro. Davis in The Amen Corner at Shakespeare Theatre Company, where he was also the music director; Jimmy Powers in Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill at The North Carolina Theatre; Larry in Lincoln Center’s concert version of Beau: The Musical; Jesus in Godspell at Saint Michael's Playhouse; and The All Night Strut at Milwaukee Rep.