‘Somewhere Over the Border’ Opens Saturday

Teatro Audaz continues its 2023 season, “Reclaiming Our Roots,” with the Texas premiere of Brian Quijada’s musical Somewhere Over the Border, playing at the McAllister Fine Arts Auditorium Sept. 2-17.

Border sends a powerful message of immigration issues, but through a musical. “Somewhere Over The Border” is a Texas premiere production by Brian Quijada. The production was actually inspired by the playwright’s real-life story of his mother, Reina Quijada, and is told through the staging lens of the classic book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, by L. Frank Baum.

The production embraces the factual and the fantastical in its depiction of one young girl’s pursuit of the American dream. As Reina travels from El Salvador to the Mexican border, she gathers friends, faces down dangers, and holds tight to the memory of the little boy she left behind. Set in the 1970s and propelled by Cumbia, Mexican Mariachi Boleros, American Rock and Hip Hop, this musical is both fable and family history — and a testament to the determination born of love.

Laura T. Garza directs the production. As an educator, it provides her with an interesting back-to-school tie-in through her time spent with students at SAC, shared with helming the show near campus grounds. Abe Ramirez is the Associate Director and Gid De La Rosa serves as Music Director.

Somewhere Over the Border plays Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2;30 p.m. at the McAllister Fine Arts Auditorium, 1300 San Pedro Ave. Tickets are available online.

Feature photo by Mason Ortiz. Courtesy Teatro Audaz.