Book, Lyrics, and Music by Brian Quijada
Director Laura Alcalá Baker
September 23 – October 15, 2023
A co-production with Pittsburgh CLO and People’s Light (Malvern, PA)
Inspired by the true story of playwright's mother’s journey from El Salvador to the US, Somewhere Over the Border brings us down a different yellow brick road in a new musical. infused with Cumbia, Mexican Mariachi Boleros, American Rock, and Hip Hop, it’s an uplifting tale about the power of determination, family, and love.
"I've been waiting to see a brown, Central-American Dorothy, and soon, the American Theatre will be introduced to her." - Brian Quijada
CURRENT SHOWS
Somewhere Over the Border
Accessibility
Accessibility:
Note: All services may not be available at all performances. Click the link above for accessible performance schedule or contact customer service for further assistance.
Content Note
This production contain mild language and contains discussions of immigration and border crossing. It is recommended for ages 10+.
Sensory Warning
This production contains the use of theatrical haze.
Detailed Plot Summary (Spoilers)
Inspired by The Wizard of Oz and playwright Brian Quijada’s mother’s journey to the United States, Somewhere Over the Border follows Reina, a young woman from Chanmico El Salvador, who makes the decision to leave her young song and build a better future for the both of them in the US. Filled with music and adventure, this new musical track her journey through Guatemala and Mexico enroute to crossing the border in Texas. Along the way, she meets a group of friends including a banana seller longing for higher education, an inn keeper hoping to reunite with his family, and a nun who dreams of rock stardom. Infused with Cumbia, Mexican Mariachi Boleros, American Rock, and Hip Hop, it’s an uplifting tale about the power of determination, family, and love.
Talent
Featuring
Playwright
This modal contains biographic information about Brian Quijada
Brian Quijada
Playwright
Brian Quijada is an Emmy-nominated playwright, actor, and composer whose original work has been developed and produced all across the country. His hip hop solo show Where Did We Sit on the Bus? has been produced at Victory Gardens, Geva Theatre, Teatro Vista (2 Jeff Awards including Outstanding Solo Performance), Ensemble Studio Theatre (2 Drama Desk Nomination), Boise Contemporary, 1st Stage, a digital production at Actors Theatre of Louisville (Drama League Nomination) and was produced at City Theatre in 2018. His TYA play Kid Prince and Pablo premiered at The Kennedy Center in 2019. Somewhere Over the Border received a rolling World Premiere at Syracuse Stage, Geva Theatre, and TeatroVista, garnering 3 Jeff Awards including Best Musical.
Director
This modal contains biographic information about Laura Alcala Baker
Laura Alcala Baker
Director
Laura Alcalá Baker (she/they) is a Chicago-based director, new play developer, and producer. Laura has developed new works such as Isaac Gomez’s The Leopard Play, or sad songs for lost boys (Steep Theatre), The Way She Spoke(DCASE, GTC), Omer Abbas Salem’s The Secretaries (First Floor Theater) and RUST by Nancy García Loza. Last year, Laura She also directed the audio drama BRAVA (Make Believe Association), available on all podcasting platforms. Other select works include Anna in the Tropics (Remy Bumppo), The Pillowman (The Gift Theatre), Equivocation, The Giver (B Street Theater). Laura is a Steep Theatre Ensemble Member, a 2021 3Arts Make a WaveRecipient, and a proud member of the Alliance of Latinx Theatre Artists. labdirecting.com
Antonia/Leona
This modal contains biographic information about Gloria Vivica Benavides
Gloria Vivica Benavides
Antonia/Leona
Gloria Vivica Benavides (Antonia/Leona) is thrilled to make her Pittsburgh City Theatre debut! She has enjoyed roles at Goodman Theatre, Cleveland Playhouse, Syracuse Stage, Geva Theatre Center, Dallas Theater Center, and Alabama Shakespeare Festival. @gloriavivica
Reina
This modal contains biographic information about Isabella Campos
Isabella Campos
Reina
Isabella Campos (Reina) is a recent graduate of Carnegie Mellon. She is so happy to have her first show out of college be created by the brilliant Brian Quijada. Her favorite roles so far have been Beatriz in Burning Patience (Martha's Vineyard Playhouse), Simona in Simona’s Search (world premiere, starred and directed at the Frame Gallery), and Natalya in Preludes (CMU). Big thank you to everyone at City/CLO/People's Light for this epic opportunity, Becca and Justin at Authentic for helping her start this crazy journey, and her beautiful, Mexican family back in Texas for their love and laughter. Enjoy the show!
Don Napo/Silvano
This modal contains biographic information about Bobby Plasencia
Bobby Plasencia
Don Napo/Silvano
Bobby Plasencia (Don Napo/Silvano) is excited to be making his City Theatre debut and sharing the stage with such a talented group of Artists! NY Stage: Orchid Receipt Service (MITU580); La Negra (BRIC Brooklyn); La Ruta (Working Theater); American Jornalero (INTAR); Luz (LaMama); Julius Caesar (Drilling Company). Regional Theater: American Mariachi (Goodman Theater, Dallas Theater Center, Denver Center, Old Globe, Alabama Shakes, Cleveland Playhouse); Recent Alien Abductions (Humana Fest, Actors Theater of Louisville); Water & Power (San Diego Rep, Craig Noel Award); Vesuvius (South Coast Rep); Blood Wedding (La Jolla Playhouse); Down Past Passyunk (Interact Theater); The Tempest, Twelfth Night, and A Midsummer Night's Dream (ISCLA, Los Angeles); Water & Power (Understudy, Mark Taper Forum). Film & TV: House of Cards (Netflix), General Hospital (ABC Television), Fidel (Showtime), Maria full of Grace (Sundance, HBO Films), Angelfish starring Princess Nokia. MFA-NYU's Tisch School of the Arts.
Adan/Cruz
This modal contains biographic information about Jerreme Rodriguez
Jerreme Rodriguez
Adan/Cruz
Jerreme Rodriguez, a theatrical shapeshifter, last graced City Theater as Rafael in "Clyde's." Pittsburgh CLO welcomed his enchantment in "A Musical Christmas Carol" and "The Wizard of Oz." Quantum Theater and Pittsburgh Public reveled in his artistry. Austin basked in his charisma through "A Little Night Music" and "Cabaret." He contributed as The Narrator to the original workshop of "Somewhere Over the Border" during the CLO Spark Festival, leaving his mark at Arizona Theater Company and Theatro Vista's Chicago production in the same role. Now, a twist unfolds as he embraces a fresh role for the same show at City Theater, further enriching this remarkable journey. With gratitude for the training from Interlochen Arts Academy and Point Park University, he's excited to bring his passion to the stage tonight and share this story with you.
Narrator
This modal contains biographic information about Arusi Santi
Arusi Santi
Narrator
Arusi Santi is thrilled to join this production and to make his Pittsburgh debut. Upcoming: Real Women Have Curves (American Repertory Theater). Arusi has had the pleasure of working at: The Guthrie Theater, Syracuse Stage, Geva Theatre, Flat Rock Playhouse, Aurora Theatre, B Street Theatre, Moxie Theatre, Lamb’s Players Theatre, New Village Arts, Creede Repertory Theatre, Mixed Blood Theatre, The Edinburgh Fringe, Teatro UNAM, and many others. Training: University of Minnesota/Guthrie Theater BFA Actor Training Program. Proud member of AEA. Represented by Pantera/Murphy the Agency. Gracias a la vida, que me ha dado tanto. www.arusisanti.com IG: @arusi.santi
Julia
This modal contains biographic information about Ariana Valdes
Ariana Valdes
Julia
ARIANA VALDES [she|they] National Tours: The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady. Off-Broadway: The Green Room. Workshops: Little Duende, El Otro Oz. Regional: In the Heights (Daniela), Sister Act (Mary Patrick), TSOM (Mother Abbess), Beauty and the Beast (Wardrobe), Seussical (Sour Kangaroo), Jerry Springer: The Opera (Peaches/Baby Jane), Shrek (Dragon). Paper Mill Playhouse, STAGES St. Louis, Gateway Playhouse, Arts Center of Coastal Carolina, Westchester Broadway, Arizona Broadway, SpeakEasy Stage, Forestburgh Playhouse, Engeman Theater, Palace Theatre, York Theatre, Scranton Shakespeare, Pennsylvania Shakespeare. Gregg Baker Management. Artistic Director of the Ensign-Darling Vocal Fellowship NEW VOICES (Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts). www.ArianaValdes.com @arianavaldiva
Intimacy Coordinator
This modal contains biographic information about Tome Cousin
Tome Cousin
Intimacy Coordinator
Tome’ Cousin is a leading voice in theatrical intimacy advocacy, Tome’ is coming directly from his 2nd season as resident intimacy coordinator for Pittsburgh Civic Light Opera. Last season at City Theatre he provided the intimacy process for Clyde’s, and Paradise Blue, and Pittsburgh Public Theater’s A Raisin in The Sun, and Murder on The Orient Express. Other theater companies: Quantum Theatre, New Hazlett Theater, Florida’s Asolo Rep, and multiple productions at the Pittsburgh Playhouse and Carnegie Mellon University. Film: The Pale Blue Eye (Netflix), Anything’s Possible (Orion). Upcoming: Rustin (Netflix), The Deliverance (Netflix), NYAD (Netflix). Training: Theatrical Intimacy Education, and Intimacy Coordinators of Color. Also, a certified Mental Health First Aid and Intimacy Captain, Tome’ has led multiple training workshops and was a featured speaker at the first Intimacy Coordinators of Color Conference in New Orleans 2023. Also, a director and choreographer Tome’ is a faculty member at Carnegie Mellon University and an assistant faculty at Theatrical Intimacy Education.
Costume Design
Music Director
This modal contains biographic information about Michael Meketa
Michael Meketa
Music Director
Michael Meketa is a composer/orchestrator/music director based in Pittsburgh, Pa. Some recent credits as composer: Kalopsia (2017 & 2021 Co-Lyrics/Orchestrations New Hazlett Theater), The Axeman’s Jazz (2019), Dog God (2018), Songs of Suffrage (2021 Seton Hill University), and What Makes The Season (2020 Cal U of PA). As arranger/orchestrator: Hair (2022 Cortland Rep), It Had To Be You (2021 Winnipesaukee Playhouse), Die Young: The Ke$ha Romeo & Juliet (2020), Ramona (2020), Assistants (2019 Orchestrations [off b’way debut!]). As music director: Dreamland (2023), Anyone Can Whistle (2023), Percy Jackson (2023), Anything Goes (2022); NYU Musical Theatre Writing Program Graduate! Much love to my Parents and to Sarah. Meketamusic.com
Sound Design
This modal contains biographic information about Stefanie Senior
Stefanie Senior
Sound Design
Stefanie Senior is a freelance sound designer based in Chicago. She worked on the Chicago production of “Somewhere Over the Border” and is ecstatic to be returning to this amazing show in her City Theatre debut. Favorite recent credits include: “ROCK OF AGES” (Mercury Theatre), “PASSING STRANGE” & “REFUGE” (Theo Ubique), “BE MEAN TO ME” (Northwestern), and “ENOUGH TO LET THE LIGHT IN” (Teatro Vista), which was recently nominated for Joseph Jefferson Award. Regional: “ADA AND THE ENGINE” (Constellation Stage & Screen), “THE INFERIOR SEX” (Trinity Rep). She also works on the podcast “I’VE BEEN MEANING TO LISTEN TO THAT”.
Projection Design
Scenic Design
This modal contains biographic information about Chelsea M Warren
Chelsea M Warren
Scenic Design
CHELSEA M. WARREN (she/her) is a multimedia artist with a focus on scenic and puppet design, as well as large scale photography and art installations. She happily returns to City Theatre, where she previously designed Somewhere Over the Border last season. Scenic design credits include Steppenwolf Theatre Company, Steep Theatre, People’s Light, Penumbra Theatre, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Victory Gardens Theatre, Studio Theatre, Cleveland Play House, Milwaukee Repertory Theater and Philadelphia Theatre Company. Puppet design credits include Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Jungle Theater, Studio Theatre, Links Hall, Chicago International Puppet Festival and New York State Puppet Festival. She is an ensemble member with Steep Theatre. Chelsea received her MFA from Northwestern University and is an Associate Professor of Scenic Design at Carnegie Mellon University. chelseamwarren.com.
Lighting Design
This modal contains biographic information about Cat Wilson
Cat Wilson
Lighting Design
CAT WILSON (Lighting Designer) is pleased to be working with City Theatre Company again. Previous City credits include F*ck 7th Grade and The Rivers Don’t Know. Additional lighting design credits include work with Goodman Theatre, Paramount Theatre, Drury Lane Theatre, Chicago Shakespeare Theatre, Pittsburgh Irish and Classical Theatre, TheatreSquared, Portland Stage Theatre of Maine, TimeLine Theatre, The Joffrey Ballet Academy, and many other wonderful collaborators around the country. She currently teaches at Point Park University. She is a proud member of USA 829 and received her MFA from Carnegie Mellon University. www.catwilsondesigns.com
Groups of 10+ On Sale Now! Gather your group to save on tickets!
Be Part of the Art - Subscribe now for the 49th Season!
MAIN STAGE
-6775b860.jpeg)
Check out our main stage season.
PROMOTIONS
-3eb0530d.jpeg)
We provide multiple ways to keep ticket prices accessible.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
-9ec4c854.jpeg)
Let us help you find parking and nearby food and beverage.
