Casting has been announced for the Berkeley Repertory Theatre world premiere of Kiss My Aztec!, the new musical collaboration from Tony Award-winning performer John Leguizamo and director Tony Taccone.
Based on a screenplay by Leguizamo and Stephen Chbosky, Kiss My Aztec! focuses on Spain’s attempt to conquer Mesoamerica in the 1600s.
Joél Pérez, who was seen in the Broadway production of Fun Home, leads a cast that also features Angelica Beliard, Chad Carstarphen, Katherine “KC” Dela Cruz, Richard R. Henry, Zachary Infante, Yani Marin, Jesús E. Martínez, Maria-Christina Oliveras, Desiree Rodriguez, and Al Rodrigo.
Leguizamo and Taccone co-wrote the book for Kiss My Aztec!, which has music by Benjamin Velez, with lyrics by Leguizamo, Velez, and David Kamp. The score is described as a blend of bolero, hip hop, merengue, and rap.
Kiss My Aztec! begins previews May 28 ahead of a June 6 opening night. Performances are currently scheduled through July 14.
The production will transfer to the La Jolla Playhouse next season.
Kiss My Aztec! takes a page from Leguizamo and Taccone’s most recent collaboration, Latin History for Morons, which played a limited Broadway run last season. Leguizamo received a Special Tony Award for the explosive solo play that shed light on the crucial and overlooked roles Latinx people played in American history. The show also picked up a Tony nomination for Best Play.
The creative team for Kiss My Aztec! includes David Gardos (music supervisor), Simon Hale (orchestrator), Maija García (choreography), Clint Ramos (scenic and costume design), Alexander V. Nichols (lighting design), and Jessica Paz (sound design). Additional percussion arrangements by Wilson Torres.
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