‘Mexodus’ review: This live musical is a theatrical marvel

I can’t count the times my jaw dropped when I watched it in Mexodus.

Much of that wonder comes down to the show’s live entry, which sees creators and performers Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson create the show’s effect from scratch on stage. But there’s more beauty where that came from, as Quijada and Robinson explore untaught history by telling a powerful personal story with hip-hop. Separately, these elements can be interesting enough. Put them together, and the results are electrifying.

in Mexodus tells the little-known story of the Underground Railroad.

When you hear the phrase “Underground Railroad,” you probably think of the network of slaves in the American South that took them north to escape slavery. However, as Quijada and Robinson tell us, there was also a network going south that brought thousands of slaves to freedom in Mexico. How many thousands? We don’t know for sure, said Quijada and Robinson, in one of the many times they addressed the audience themselves. The story of the southern Underground Railroad isn’t one you’ll find in many history books, but it’s one these two hope to pass on orally, in Mexodus‘ A story that serves as a synthesis of their research.

Robinson plays Henry, an escaped slave who escapes captivity in Texas and narrowly survives a dangerous crossing of the Rio Grande. He is saved by Quijada’s Carlos, a doctor-turned-farmer fighting his demons from the Mexican-American war. Wary of each other, the two soon grow to ignore their differences, work together on Carlos’ farm, and become firm friends.

in Mexodus‘Live looping he will catch you.

Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson in “Mexodus.”
Credit: Thomas Mundell

Quijada and Robinson created a song about Carlos and Henry’s friendship in real time, connecting and layering their own vocals and instruments. Many instruments are visible: pianos, cellos, trumpets, guitars, drums, vinyl scratching. That Quijada and Robinson are all playing again raping at superhuman speed again The synchronization itself is already impressive enough. But what kicks in Mexodus in an even higher gear is when Quijada and Robinson interact with the stage itself, designed by Riw Rakkulchon. The tin walls become sources of blows and thunder. The wooden wheel changes the tempos of the tracks. Pedals around the stage connect the sounds, and watching Quijada and Robinson step on them to control the next loop is magic that never gets old.

Another magic trick? The live loop doesn’t just stop in Mexodus‘songs. Quijada and Robinson make hand-drawn sounds, from hurricanes to exploding fires. My personal favorite moment came when Quijada beat the comb to create the sound of chirping insects that come out at night. Yes, we fully see what is causing the noise – in fact, we see what is causing it all of them sound in the show – but as Mikhail Fiksel’s sound design expands it throughout the theater, it becomes something new. The theatrical experience allows us to jump from the ordinary to a simulated bug dream.

There is a social aspect to the live loop as well. Quijada and Robinson feed off our excitement with each vocal surprise. (Quijada took a smiling bow after my audience expressed how he created the sound of the fire.) They also take several opportunities throughout the show to step outside of the story and tell personal stories: Robinson of his ancestors, Quijada of a time when he saw the same kind of prejudice and division that would have separated Carlos and Henry centuries ago. Each moment builds on Quijada and Robinson’s reminders that ours is to convey the unknown stories of the Underground Railroad to the south, culminating in a captivating moment of audience participation.

By inviting the audience into their stories and showing us how each song is created, Quijada and Robinson have created a fun, exciting take on an unsung chapter of American history. It’s one I guarantee you won’t forget.

in Mexodus now running Off Broadway through June 14.