Book by John Leguizamo and Tony Taccone
Music by Benjamin Velez
Lyrics by David Kamp, Benjamin Velez, and John Leguizamo
Based on an original screenplay written by John Leguizamo and Stephen Chbosky
Choreography by Maija García
Directed by Tony Taccone
Roda Theatre · May 28-Jul 21, 2019
World premiere
Running time: approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes, plus one 15-minute intermission
“I’m-a cast a spell to dispel ya supposition
That Latin America is Latin by definition”
This fresh, irreverent musical comedy could only spring forth from the clever and culturally savvy mind of John Leguizamo (who seriously schooled Berkeley Rep audiences with Latin History for Morons). With an energetic musical fusion of salsa, Latin boogaloo, hip-hop, gospel, funk, and merengue, and an inspired mash-up of Elizabethan dialect and modern slang, Kiss My Aztec! celebrates, elevates, and commemorates Latinx culture.
European conquest? Hell, no! It may be the 16th century in Spanish-occupied Mesoamerica, but these Aztecs is woke. Led by the unlikely duo of Colombina (a fierce female warrior) and Pepe (a not-so-fierce clown), they mount a scrappy resistance against their Spanish oppressors—and somehow get entangled in the dysfunctional dynamics of the Spanish viceroy’s bickering family. Will our heroes get conquistadored by whitey or win the day?
Please note that John Leguizamo won’t be performing in Kiss My Aztec!—other fantastic actors will be starring in this uproarious new musical! Read more about them here.
Made possible by a generous grant from The Roy Cockrum Foundation.
An important note regarding health and content advisories:
Kiss My Aztec! includes haze and strobe effects. Berkeley Rep offers an advisory about any stage effect of potential concern to patrons’ health. We don’t offer unsolicited content advisories as sensitivities vary from person to person. If you have concerns about content or themes, we are happy to provide details. Please call our box office at 510 647–2949 or email info@berkeleyrep.org.
