Teatro Vista's 'Somewhere Over the Border' finds very human specifics
Something wonderful lies at the end of the yellow brick road leading to Teatro Vista this spring: Somewhere Over the Border by Brian Quijada, a new musical that crackles and pops with authenticity and personality.
While one would expect a archly satirical riff on the musical’s Oz-ian namesake, Border distinguishes itself with its humanity and candor. Quijada carefully dismantles the myth of the American Dream, pulling no punches surrounding the anxiety and dread that hounds Central American migrants who risk it all on making a better life.
Quijada’s musical is based on the true story of his mother, Reina Quijada (Gabriela Moscoso), our protagonist. Quijada the younger serves as narrator and guitarist, popping in and out to weave the tale of his mother’s perilous journey out of El Salvador. Each new friend she meets on her path follows the expected pattern—in turn, we meet the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Lion—but with a grounding twist. Reina’s Scarecrow, a young farmer wanting to study at university; her Tin Man, a broken-hearted alcoholic deciding to meet his family in the states; her Lion, a nervous nun with dreams of becoming a rock star in Cleveland. In subverting the classic American myth, Quijada creates something entirely his own.
Irresistibly danceable beats pervade Quijada’s score. Motifs like “Ride Up the Road” and “In the USA” are consistent mood-boosters, expertly peppered through the journey as reminders of the dream and the drive moving Reina forward. That said, while Quijada’s score grooves effortlessly, the book and lyrics struggle a little more to keep time. Quijada uses a “tell-not-show” approach that, while tonally clear, lacks nuance. Particularly in the beginning and end of the story, characters are prone to explaining their feelings and expositing their relationships in too-direct dialogue or lengthy ballads. Rest assured, the audience can be trusted to infer these aspects of character and narrative.
Atypical of most fresh-off-the-press musicals, Border hits its stride in the middle of the story, bouncing giddily with a sense of wonder and play, underscored by the best songs. The narrative focus and thematic concision of the journey proper is assisted by its iterative nature: just as Dorothy arrived in Oz, so Reina makes the decision to leave El Salvador.
Somewhere Over the Border finds magic in the journey, but not as much in the outset or arrival. As an indictment of xenophobia and impassioned love letter to those a courageous contingent of migrants, Somewhere Over the Borderthrives. As an intimate, naturally-flowing family drama, the musical loses the path. The interpersonal drama of the production is sure to flourish in future iterations, with a more concise and subtle libretto that allows thoughts and feelings to breathe without heavy-handed explanation.
Director Denise Yvette Serna implants Quijada’s journey with vibrant energy and captivating movement. The unique stage setup provides ample room and opportunity for surprise. The thrust that circles around the band sets music at the heart of the production, while creating cyclical imagery befitting of Quijada’s thematic undertones of generational trauma, legacy, and renewal.
Choreographer Kasey Alfonso sets the cast alight, uniting the ensemble with clean, dynamic movement that complements Serna’s direction seamlessly.
An energetic cast breathes Quijada’s story to life, as do the charismatic gentlemen of the band. Music direction by Thee Ricky Harris flawlessly shapes a moving soundscape. Harmonies are tight, the band is locked in, and audience members are sure to have trouble staying in their seats.
Scenic design by Yvonne Miranda and projection design by Liviu Pasare complete picture the fantastical epic of Reina’s journey. Miranda’s utilization of space is subtle and clever, presenting all sorts of compartments and doors for different set pieces, while giving the space needed for the projection design to shine. Pasare’s projections are truly a star of this production, rife with color, motion, and artful explosion of feeling and ambiance.
Bursting with talent and creativity in cast and crew, Teatro Vista presents a beautiful, triumphant story that already flies. With refinements to the tell-not-show dialogue and lyrics, Quijada’s Somewhere Over the Border could truly soar over the rainbow.
Somewhere Over the Border runs through June 12th at Windy City Playhouse, 3014 W Irving Park Rd. For tickets or more information, please click here.
Photos by Joel Maisonet.