‘Mexodus’ Musical at Pasadena Playhouse Tells Underground Railroad Story to Mexico
10 reported
The musical “Mexodus,” now playing at Pasadena Playhouse, is a two-person show that tells the story of an enslaved man who escapes to Mexico. Written and performed by Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson, the production uses looping technology to create a full musical sound. The show blends hip-hop and Tex-Mex balladry and has been compared to “Hamilton.” It initially ran at the Minetta Lane Theatre in New York in 2025, with a subsequent engagement at the Daryl Roth Theatre that ended June 14. The production has received multiple awards, including four Lucille Lortel Awards, four Outer Critics Circle Awards, three Drama Desk Awards, an Off Broadway Alliance Award, and a Drama League Award. The show runs at Pasadena Playhouse through Aug. 2.
What’s reported
“Mexodus” is a two-person musical written and performed by Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson.
The story follows an enslaved man named Henry (Robinson) who escapes to Mexico and meets a rancher named Carlos (Quijada).
The show uses looping technology to create a full vocal and instrumental sound.
It blends hip-hop and Tex-Mex balladry and is described as feeling like a spawn of “Hamilton.”
The musical initially ran at the Minetta Lane Theatre in New York in 2025, then at the Daryl Roth Theatre through June 14.
It has won four Lucille Lortel Awards, four Outer Critics Circle Awards, three Drama Desk Awards, an Off Broadway Alliance Award, and a Drama League Award.
The show is directed by David Mendizábal.
The production includes autobiographical anecdotes from both performers about interactions between Black and Latino communities.
The article states an estimated 4,000 to 10,000 enslaved people used a lesser-known Underground Railroad that went south to Mexico.
The show runs at Pasadena Playhouse through Aug. 2.
Key figures
Brian Quijada: Writer, performer, plays Carlos
Nygel D. Robinson: Writer, performer, plays Henry
David Mendizábal: Director
Sources: Variety
