Little Duende, a new musical from Mexican-American writer and actor Robi Hager (Spring Awakening, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying) and Mexican playwright Georgina Escobar (Stone Heart, Ash Tree), will receive an industry workshop October 3 at Open Jar Studios. Casting will be revealed in the coming weeks.
The Broadway veteran wrote music and lyrics for the new musical, which features a book and lyrics by Escobar. The fairy tale and mythology-influenced story follows Adelita, a young elf in the magical land of Elflán, who wants to explore the world beyond until her mother is kidnapped by an evil spirit called La Mancha. Adelita, without her mother and their home in tatters, must travel north to a new land, Hadaseñas, as she searches for her mom. Through its fantastical setting, the musical explores real-world border crisis.
“Little Duende is dedicated to those who are forced to escape violence in search of a better life, and to those who have lost their lives because of it,” notes Hager. “It has been an honor to develop this new musical with my collaborators, and our October reading presentation is the next step in bringing this important story to the stage.”
Rebecca Aparicio will direct the workshop reading, with Jesse J. Sanchez serving as music director. Casting is by Michael Cassara.
Little Duende was one of two musicals accepted for the 2021 National Music Theater Conference at The Eugene O'Neill Center, and was also one of eight musicals featured at New York City's 2021 National Alliance for Musical Theatre festival. The presentation is currently seeking donors through its Fractured Atlas campaign.
For more information, visit LittleDuende.com.
