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SUGAR SKULL! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure is a vibrant touring bilingual/bicultural musical created especially for young audiences and families. Using authentic regional music and dance from across Mexico, this lively production introduces audiences to the colorful traditions, rhythms, and stories of Día de Muertos, one of Mexico’s most beloved cultural celebrations.
At the heart of the show is twelve-year-old Vita Flores, a spirited girl who thinks her family has gone “loco” preparing for a celebration to honor deceased loved ones. “Why throw a party for the dead?” she wonders. But everything changes when a candy skeleton suddenly springs to life right before her eyes. This mischievous yet charming character—known as Sugar Skull—becomes Vita’s guide on a magical journey that reveals the true meaning of Día de Muertos.
Together, Vita and Sugar Skull travel through an enchanting world of music, dance, and folklore. They join ancient ancestors in a joyous dance, sing with a sorrowful sorceress, outwit the playful trickster spirits called Chaneques, and even encounter the iconic Catrina Calavera, an elegant symbol of the holiday’s deep history. Along the way, Vita discovers that Día de Muertos is not a day of sadness but a powerful celebration of life, family, and memory. The question remains: can this clever and determined girl gather the missing pieces needed for her family’s ofrenda—the traditional altar honoring the departed—before it’s too late?
With its high-energy score, dazzling costumes, and interactive storytelling, SUGAR SKULL! offers an entertaining, educational, and heartwarming experience for all ages. Families will be swept up in its irresistible rhythms while learning about the rich cultural heritage behind Mexico’s Day of the Dead traditions. It’s more than a show—it’s an invitation to celebrate the beauty of remembrance and the bonds that connect us across generations.
Presented by Mexico Beyond Mariachi, a multi-cultural ensemble of professional musicians, actors, dancers and teaching artists whose love of Mexican traditions and way of life shines bright in every performance. Our philosophy is rooted in the belief that art and culture are an integral part of the development of every individual’s outlook on life. Personal engagement, community experiences, and the celebration of commonality are themes Mexico Beyond Mariachi bring to our shows as well as to our extensive arts-in-education offerings (residencies, workshops, and lecture demonstrations).
Mexico Beyond Mariachi was founded in 2005 in New York City and was quickly established as one of the leading providers of Mexican performance and education programs for young people and families in the New York Tri-State area. Every year, Mexico Beyond Mariachi performs in dozens of schools, theatres, and museums, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Museo del Barrio, Queens Theater, New Jersey State Museum, Newark Museum, and more.
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