Musical 'Mexodus' Explores Enslaved Freedom Seekers' Journey to Mexico

The hip-hop and bolero-infused musical will make its debut at the Pasadena Playhouse, but an Audible version offers a sonically richer experience.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 8:43pm

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An abstract, minimalist illustration featuring bold, jagged geometric shapes in deep red and bright white, conveying the themes of resistance and liberation in the musical 'Mexodus.'A musical that illuminates the little-known history of enslaved individuals who escaped to Mexico via an 'underground railroad' running south from the American South.San Juan Today

The musical 'Mexodus' tells the fictional story of Henry, an enslaved man who flees Texas and crosses the Rio Grande into Mexico seeking freedom. Co-created and performed by Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson, the show explores the little-known history of the 'underground railroad' that ran southbound from the American South to Mexico, which had abolished slavery in 1829. Following an off-Broadway run in New York, 'Mexodus' will open at the Pasadena Playhouse on July 8 and run until August 2, while an Audible version featuring additional sound effects will also be released.

Why it matters

The musical 'Mexodus' sheds light on the lesser-known history of enslaved individuals who escaped to Mexico via an 'underground railroad' running south from the American South. This story challenges the dominant narrative around the Underground Railroad, which typically focuses on the northbound route to abolitionist Northern states. 'Mexodus' also explores themes of racism, oppression, and resistance, offering a nuanced perspective on the experiences of Black and brown communities.

The details

Co-created by playwright, actor, and composer Brian Quijada and performer Nygel D. Robinson, 'Mexodus' follows the fictional story of Henry, an enslaved man who flees Texas and crosses the Rio Grande into Mexico seeking freedom. The musical features a blend of hip-hop and bolero styles, and utilizes live looping, a recording and playback technique that requires the actors to constantly switch between instruments. The show's dramaturgical structure, with a four-chord progression that repeats across both 1851 and the present day, is meant to illustrate how the issues of racism and oppression have persisted over time.

  • In 2010, the U.S. National Park Service outlined a possible runaway route stretching on the Camino Real de la Tejas between Natchitoches, Louisiana, to Monclova, Mexico.
  • In 2024, the Jackson Ranch Church and Martin Jackson Cemetery in San Juan, Texas were recognized by the U.S. National Park Service for serving as a gateway to freedom in Mexico.
  • Slavery in the U.S. wouldn't be officially abolished until 1865 with the ratification of the 13th Amendment to the Constitution.

The players

Brian Quijada

Playwright, actor, and composer behind 'Where Did We Sit on the Bus?,' 'Kid Prince and Pablo,' and 'Somewhere Over the Border,' who co-created 'Mexodus.'

Nygel D. Robinson

Performer at Berkeley Rep, Baltimore Center Stage, Shakespeare Theater Company, Mosaic Theater, and writer and composer of 'Santa Claus Is Comin': A Motown Christmas Revue' and 'R&J: Fire on the Bayou,' who co-created 'Mexodus' with Quijada.

David Mendizábal

The director of 'Mexodus.'

Nathaniel Jackson and Matilda Hicks

An interracial couple whose ranch in San Juan, Texas, including the Jackson Ranch Church and Martin Jackson Cemetery, were recognized by the U.S. National Park Service as a gateway to freedom in Mexico.

Ferdinand Webber and Silvia Hector

An interracial abolitionist couple along the Texas-Mexico border who aided enslaved people in their pursuits to reach Mexico.

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What they’re saying

“My parents crossed the border undocumented in the late 1970s, so I think I've always been fascinated with writing immigration stories. The reason that this story attracted me was because it's like a reverse border story, but I also knew that it wasn't my story to tell so I sat on it for a long time.”

— Brian Quijada, Playwright, actor, and composer

“We kind of looked at each other and we're like, 'we don't really belong here.' I think Brian and I are artists in this way, like various people of color, where it's like, no one else is gonna do it for me, so I can do it all by myself.”

— Nygel D. Robinson, Performer and composer

“The looping shows you that there's not much difference between 1851 and 2026. We just keep finding ourselves in a loop and like maybe a sound is in that wasn't there before. Maybe another sound is added, but it's still the same four chord structure that has been happening in this country for all existence.”

— Nygel D. Robinson, Performer and composer

What’s next

Following its off-Broadway run at the Daryl Roth Theatre in New York City, the hip-hop and bolero-infused musical 'Mexodus' directed by David Mendizábal will open at the Pasadena Playhouse stage on July 8 and run until Aug. 2. A sonically richer version of the musical featuring additional sound effects will also air exclusively on Audible on April 16.

The takeaway

The musical 'Mexodus' sheds light on an important but lesser-known chapter of history, challenging the dominant narrative around the Underground Railroad and offering a nuanced perspective on the experiences of Black and brown communities. By blending historical themes with contemporary music and storytelling, the show aims to educate and inspire audiences, while also providing a glimmer of hope and joy amidst the darkness.