Mexodus is a hip-hop musical with music, lyrics, book, and orchestrations by Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson which premiered at the Baltimore Center Stage in 2024 before premiering Off-Broadway in 2025, and again in 2026.[1] The show tells the story of the Underground Railroad's southern route that crossed the Rio Grande into Mexico, and received widespread acclaim.[2]
| Mexodus | |
|---|---|
 2026 Off-Broadway production poster | |
| Music | Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson |
| Lyrics | Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson |
| Book | Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson |
| Productions | 2024 Baltimore Center Stage 2024 Mosaic Theatre Company 2025 Berkeley Repertory Theatre 2025 Off-Broadway 2026 Off-Broadway Revival 2026 U.S. National Tour |
Synopsis
editThe musical draws from the true accounts of African Americans who fled slavery by journeying south into Mexico on the Underground Railroad. Creators Nygel D. Robinson and Brian Quijada perform every role themselves and provide all the music, infused with hip-hop, using a looping station to build each song’s arrangement live on stage for the audience each night.[3]
Robinson portrays Henry, an enslaved man in Texas following its annexation by the United States. Seeking freedom, Henry escapes across the Rio Grande into Mexico, where slavery had been abolished. There he encounters Carlos, played by Quijada, and the two form a deep connection, shaped in part by their shared anger toward a common oppressor. Eventually, they choose to join forces in their struggle, even as events ultimately lead them down separate paths.[4]
Productions
editThe production first premiered at Baltimore Center Stage in 2024, running from March 14 to April 7, featuring Quijada and Robinson and directed by David Mendizábal. It received praise, with the Maryland Theatre Guide calling it "thrilling"[5] and DC Theatre Arts calling it "electrifying."[6] Sound designer Mikhail Fiksel's work with live-looping was also singled out for praise.[7]
Following its run in Baltimore, the show premiered in Washington, DC at the Mosaic Theatre Company[8], running May 16, 2024 to June 15, 2024 with the same creative and performance team. Following further acclaim[9], it moved to the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, where director Mendizábal served as Associate Artistic Director.[10]
In 2025, the show premiered Off-Broadway in New York City at the Minetta Lane Theatre produced by P3 Productions and Audible Theatre, running September 18 to November 1. This production was also recorded for the Audible platform as an Audible Original.[11]The show received rave reviews, with The New York Times calling it "a dazzling showcase not just for what music can be, but also for the ecstasy of making it"[12] and New York Theatre Guide naming it a "stunning musical spotlight."[13]
The original Off-Broadway production was nominated for nine Lucille Lortel Awards, the most of any production.[14]
The production returned Off-Broadway for a revival, running March 6 to June 14, 2026 at the Daryl Roth Theatre[15], and has also announced a national tour, kicking off at the Pasadena Playhouse in July 2026.[16]
Awards and nominations
edit2024 Washington, D.C. production
edit| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Helen Hayes Award | Outstanding Production - Musical | Won | [17] | |
| Outstanding Lead Performer in a Musical | Brian Quijada | Won | |||
| Outstanding Director of a Musical | David Mendizábal | Won | |||
2025 Off-Broadway production
editReferences
edit- ↑ Logan Culwell‑Block (January 20, 2026). "Mexodus Will Return Off‑Broadway". Playbill. Retrieved April 4, 2026.
- ↑ "Mexodus". P3 Productions. Retrieved April 4, 2026.
- ↑ Logan Culwell‑Block (January 20, 2026). "Mexodus Will Return Off‑Broadway". Playbill. Retrieved April 4, 2026.
- ↑ Max Garner (March 23, 2024). "Theatre Review: 'Mexodus' at Center Stage". Maryland Theatre Guide. Retrieved April 4, 2026.
- ↑ Max Garner (March 23, 2024). "Theatre Review: 'Mexodus' at Center Stage". Maryland Theatre Guide. Retrieved April 4, 2026.
- ↑ Ken Jaworowski (March 24, 2024). "Electrifying *Mexodus* Sets Erased Black American History to Hip‑Hop at Baltimore Center Stage". DC Theater Arts. Retrieved April 4, 2026.
- ↑ Rob Weinert‑Kendt (March 17, 2026). "Loop Dreams: The Long Journey of 'Mexodus'". American Theatre. Retrieved April 4, 2026.
- ↑ "Mexodus by Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson — Mosaic Theater". Mosaic Theater. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
- ↑ André Hereford (May 30, 2024). "'Mexodus' Is a Thrilling Feat of Theater (Review)". Metro Weekly. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
- ↑ Leslie Katz (September 20, 2024). "Review: Berkeley Rep's musical 'Mexodus' an ingenious history lesson with humor and heart". Local News Matters. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
- ↑ Rob Weinert‑Kendt (March 17, 2026). "Loop Dreams: The Long Journey of 'Mexodus'". American Theatre. Retrieved April 4, 2026.
- ↑ Brittani Samuel (September 19, 2025). "'Mexodus' Review: A History Musical With Thrilling Loop‑the‑Loops". The New York Times. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
- ↑ Austin Fimmano (September 18, 2025). "'Mexodus' Off‑Broadway review — lost history gets a stunning musical spotlight". New York Theatre Guide. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
- ↑ "MEXODUS and PRINCE F*GGOT Lead 2026 Lucille Lortel Nominations". BroadwayWorld. April 1, 2026. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
- ↑ Logan Culwell‑Block (January 20, 2026). "Mexodus Will Return Off‑Broadway". Playbill. Retrieved April 4, 2026.
- ↑ Rob Weinert‑Kendt (March 17, 2026). "Loop Dreams: The Long Journey of 'Mexodus'". American Theatre. Retrieved April 4, 2026.
- ↑ "Theatre Washington celebrates 41st Helen Hayes Awards". DC Theater Arts. May 20, 2025. Retrieved April 5, 2026.
- ↑ "MEXODUS and PRINCE F*GGOT Lead 2026 Lucille Lortel Nominations". BroadwayWorld. April 1, 2026. Retrieved April 1, 2026.
- ↑ Gans, Andrew (April 20, 2026). "2026 Drama League Awards Nominations Are Out; Read the Full List". Playbill. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
- ↑ Hipes, Patrick (April 20, 2026). "Daniel Radcliffe, Luke Evans Among Drama League Award Nominees". Deadline. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
- ↑ "Schmigadoon!, Ragtime Win Big at 2026 Outer Critics Circle Awards; Read the Full List of Winners". Playbill. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
- ↑ "Outer Critics Circle Award 2026 Nominations". New York Theater. April 21, 2026. Retrieved April 23, 2026.
- ↑ "2026 Drama Desk Award Nominations Announced: Full List". Broadway.com. April 29, 2026. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
- ↑ Culwell-Block, Logan (April 29, 2026). "Beau, Mexodus Lead 2026 Drama Desk Award Nominations; Read the Full List Here". Playbill. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
- ↑ Mandell, Jonathan (June 1, 2026). "2026 Dorian Theater Award winners: Schmigadoon. Prince Faggot. Ragtime: Joshua. Junior. Quincy. Qween". New York Theater. Retrieved June 1, 2026.