Critic’s Pick
Mexodus: A Thrilling Musical Rewrites History’s Path on the Underground Railroad
By Brittani Samuel
Published: September 19, 2025. Updated: September 22, 2025.
Prepare to rewrite your history books: the legendary Underground Railroad wasn’t solely a northern passage. It also extended south, guiding thousands of freedom-seekers across the Rio Grande into liberated Mexico, offering refuge to those fleeing enslavement. This overlooked chapter of history is vividly brought to life in “Mexodus,” a compelling hip-hop musical from the brilliant minds of Brian Quijada and Nygel D. Robinson. More than just historical fiction, this production is an energetic jam session, bursting with creativity and ingenious technological flourishes.
At Audible’s Minetta Lane Theater, this electrifying show unfolds through music built from captivating loops. It starts with the resonant plucks of a stand-up bass, followed by acoustic guitar strums and a playful run across piano keys. These foundational sounds are then layered with dynamic beatboxing, soulful vocals, and even an accordion, meticulously crafting an entire sonic universe from scratch. Each instrument adds another thread, weaving a rich musical tapestry that feels like riding waves. It’s a dazzling display not only of musical innovation but also of the sheer joy and artistry of its creation.
Quijada and Robinson, who have already graced stages from Baltimore to Berkeley with “Mexodus,” effortlessly embody multiple roles. They are magnetic M.C.s, drawing the audience into a hip-hop call-and-response tradition. They transform into griots, sharing memory-laden monologues that resonate deeply. They act as passionate disrupters, advocating for Black and Latino liberation. Ultimately, they become Carlos and Henry, two fictional men—one from Mexico, one from the United States—whose destinies intertwine and depend on each other for survival.
Carlos, a former medic haunted by his abandonment of his battalion during the Mexican-American War, now struggles on a farm. Henry, an enslaved Texan, is on the run after a desperate act against his master. Their paths converge when Carlos rescues an injured Henry from the Rio Grande. What begins as a begrudging alliance born of necessity blossoms into a profound friendship, weaving a deeply personal thread through Quijada and Robinson’s meticulously researched historical narrative. This artful device transforms their archival dedication into a poignant buddy tragicomedy.
As our charismatic guides through this historical landscape, Quijada and Robinson are a marvel. Their musical prowess is undeniable, their raps delivered with lightning speed—a linguistic Olympics gold medal would surely be theirs. They sing like enchanting sirens and command a stage overflowing with instruments, all seamlessly integrated into Riw Rakkulchon’s brilliant set. This quasi-barn, resembling a shipping container, is a treasure trove where guitars, washboards, and percussion cleverly blend into the walls, creating a life-sized hidden object game. The constant swapping of instruments and rapid-fire lyricism in constructing the show forms its own continuous loop, a powerful metaphor layered onto the musical one. In a particularly moving scene, when Henry offers to help Carlos dig a trench, their “shovels” become guitars, and their digging is expressed through rhythmic strumming and mimed effort.
Despite its freestyle, improvisational feel, director David Mendizábal keeps “Mexodus” flowing with the effortless precision of a cypher. It must be an incredibly demanding performance, yet Quijada and Robinson maintain complete control, even as tempos surge and shift. And behind the scenes, Mikhail Fiksel, the architect and sound designer of the looping systems, delivers a masterclass in technical flexing, an unseen but undeniable force powering 90 minutes of pure auditory genius.
Together, these artists have forged something truly exceptional: a vibrant world where intense rap rhymes with heartfelt bolero, where English and Spanish intertwine seamlessly, and where cross-cultural solidarity isn’t just an aspiration but a vital necessity. This powerful message often gets obscured by the lingering shadows of colonialism, colorism, and other divisive forces. Quijada and Robinson embody the very unity they advocate for on stage. While “Mexodus” is slated for production and recording on Audible’s streaming app, its profound impact and energetic brilliance truly demand to be experienced live.
Performance Details:
- Title: Mexodus (NYT Critic’s Pick)
- Venue: Audible’s Minetta Lane Theater, Manhattan
- Dates: Through October 18
- Running Time: 1 hour 30 minutes