September 22, 2024
“¡Despierta!”: A Healing Magical Musical Honoring the Spirit of the Valley
Story by Abigail Vela
Edited by Nina Alegre
There’s nothing more special than creating a story that reflects the heart of the 956, especially when it brings together music, singing and theatre. Which is why this Hispanic Heritage Month, we want to highlight stories that truly capture and celebrate who we are, like “¡Despierta!”
It all began with Brisa Areli Muñoz (she/her), an artist hoping to create something for her community. The opportunity presented itself with a campaign called Arts For Everybody by A National Arts and Health Initiative One Nation/One Project. The Arts For Everybody campaign selected 18 cities and towns across America to premiere art projects that catered to the theme: “No place like home.” The cities were to perform on July 27, 2024. One of those cities happened to be our very own Edinburg, Texas.
With a cast and crew of over 75 community members, “¡Despierta!” premiered at Edinburg’s 2024 FridaFest. Director Brisa Areli Muñoz explained more about what it meant to create a beautiful testament to the Rio Grande Valley community.
There’s No Place Like the 956
Early in the process, Brisa Areli Muñoz shared, “We basically have six weeks to put together this what will ultimately be a full-length original musical about the region, celebrating Edinburg, celebrating the Valley, but also Valley figures from across time.”
Truly sticking to the theme, “No place like home,” “¡Despierta!” is a world inspired by the classic “The Wizard of Oz.” However, in this world, Glory (Yuvia De La Mora) escapes into what feels like an esoteric spiritual dream world to learn more about herself, the parents she lost, and her culture. Iconic figures in the Latinx lexicon Gloria Anzaldúa (Marisol Cervantes), Freddy Gonzalez (Jeremiah Gali), Selena Quintanilla-Pérez (Ashley Cantu), and Frida Kahlo (Lydia Alejandra Sanchez) guide her through the world, leaving her with teachings for her to wake up to.
“The story follows [Glory,] a young girl who’s originally from the Valley. She’s 12 years old [and] has since moved away because her parents were in the military. And after the recent loss of her parents, she comes back to live with her Abuela (Rosalida “Cooky” Cantu) and her Tio (Ramiro Castro Jr.),” Muñoz described, “The story is about her discovering who she is, but particularly through the process of moving through her own grief. So, the musical actually is about the intersection between art and healing.”
Attending Edinburg’s Magical Musical
On the day of the musical, the Edinburg Municipal Auditorium was packed, with everyone ready to enjoy the premiere of “¡Despierta!”
The large cast ensemble danced beautifully with ease and cohesion throughout the show, thanks to the talents of Choreographer Diego Alejandro González (he/they). A band led by the musical’s Composer and Accompanist, Ernesto Gerónimo Vergara (he/him), played lively and emotional music that blended original Latinx beats and Cumbia. UTRGV Mariachi’s incredible talents colored the world with proud Mexican roots.
Ernesto Gerònimo Vergara, also known as Corazón Gerónimo in his artistic practice shared, “The songs used are my original works outside of the musical that represent my own journey of finding the divine. My hope is that one day people will be able to hear these songs so that they may be able to feel at a deeper level beyond the concepts of our culture, society and our mind’s limited capabilities of ever understanding the great mystery. It is rooted in our nature and the essence that sustains us all. That which was, is and will be.”
Not only was the stage lit up by the effervescent passion and energy of the cast and crew, but the audience was encapsulated in this familiar magical dream world, actively applauding after each musical performance. Not to mention, the lighting, stage, and costume design all helped bring the world to life with its warm sunset hues and rich moody blues shifting and blending into a dreamy mirror of the RGV.
Audiences also laughed and smiled as they heard the characters mention Edinburg’s very own Grupo Frontera and Bobby Pulido. We watched a character named Ikal (Artie Azuara), a spiritual figure and an ode to our ancestors, interacting with migrant workers who “speak the language of the earth.” Gloria Anzaldúa shared about writing to discover and preserve herself, “I write because I’m scared of writing but more because I’m afraid of not writing.” Truly, the most magical thing about this whole experience was watching as each character was brought to life by a fellow community member in a way that felt incredibly immersive and real.
Honoring and Healing Edinburg, Texas
A particular phrase resonated throughout the entire production. One of Glory’s friends, Tina (Isabella Pagan), reminded her about the power of believing: “If you think it, you can be it.” That is what Brisa Areli Muñoz and her entire cast and crew exemplified.
“I am both an artist and a healing practitioner, and […] I’ve been meditating for a long time about what this kind of piece could mean for this region,” Muñoz recalled. Through initial conversations, she noted the intersection of art and healing everpresent. “I was really surprised when I was at the page at what came up and out, I was kind of surprised by how much it had to do with grief and how much it had to do with healing and how much it had to do with conversations that maybe aren’t necessarily had out loud as often as perhaps we might want.”
“¡Despierta!” is a tribute to the deepest qualities of who we are as our community. This musical gives homage to our ancestors, heals family and gives time for grief, and showcases the beloved Latinx figures and celebrities we hold dear. It is a musical that embodies the spirit that moves us throughout these rugged, nopal and palm tree-infested, beautiful borderlands; the spirit that we have been, are and will continue to be.
Support RGV Storytellers.
Rio Grande Valley storytellers need your support. Trucha, a 501c(3) non-profit, provides artistic opportunities to the community, with the help of our donors. Your contribution will help us continue our mission to empower our creative community of storytellers.
