INTERVIEW: Sugar Skull! A Musical Apapacho
11/13 @ Proctors, Schenectady
**This article originally appeared in our November print issue.**
Photo by Dave Titensor
“I truly like to make sure that people feel connected to it and are moved by it. Right now, this show is gonna bring a lot of hope and a lot of apapacho, a little saying in Spanish, which means ‘a hug to the soul.’”
In the modern world, it is necessary to embrace and uplift the celebration of culture. Artists who push confidence in their traditions are essential to our understanding as a society. Those who can take such a fearless standpoint and turn it into something so accepting are the artists creating essential work that needs to be brought into the light.
On November 13th, Proctors Theatre will be ablaze with neon colors, visually entrancing traditional costumes, and larger-than-life storytelling with the arrival of Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure. Audiences follow 12-year-old Vita on her journey of understanding the importance of Día de Muertos. Through an otherworldly adventure with Vita’s newfound friend Sugar Skull, a wildly charming skeleton, Vita finds her true appreciation for her family's roots and traditions.
The show, created by Gregory Jafari Van Acker, has impacted audiences and performers alike. In conversation with Valeria Aceves, the musical's very own Sugar Skull, they describe the transformation this performance has undergone since its beginning.
“This show has been going on for five years already, and it started as a very improvised, small show that was touring around schools. Rhythm of the Arts, which is our production company, decided to make it a little bit bigger and more production-based and began running it in theaters.”
Since its artistic arrival, Sugar Skull has been recognized as a uniquely significant representation of Latin culture. The musical's ability to express traditions and diverse cultures inspires new generations to embrace, celebrate, and recognize the diversity within our world.
Sugar Skull is a visual and musical collage of culture, with dance styles that harken back to folkloric traditions as well as songs that many viewers may recognize from nostalgia and family traditions.
“The music is Jarochos, and most of the songs you would know from when you were a child,” says Valeria, describing the bicultural details within the show. "There are very famous songs and dances as well, from different regions such as Veracruz and Guerrero. I feel like most of Mexico knows and recognizes the patterns and the rhythms of the different dances and songs in our performance.”
These songs, so notable and identifiable, allow not only those familiar with these references to connect with such representation but also introduce an entirely new audience to the significant roots of Latin America.
Photo by Axel Buecker
Connecting various diverse views on heritage leaves a profound impact on audiences and cast members alike. This outlet serves as a way for performers, such as Valeria, to honor and spread their appreciation for their history to audiences from all over America. Valeria describes her personal experience with Sugar Skull noting, “The folkloric connections within this show make it stand out, not only because, as a Mexican, you get to see yourself represented on stage, but as with any other culture, you get to learn something new and connect with it.”
Día de Muertos, celebrated annually on November 1st, is a day of celebration and remembrance for those lost; the ability to balance the theme of mourning in a connectable and accessible way is where Sugar Skull excels. “Grief is such a universal concept,” says Valeria, “and we have a great way to show you how we manage it, the tools that we have, and making sure that we share it with the world.” The portrayal of Sugar Skull transcends mere cultural representation; it fosters a profound connection with Vita’s journey, allowing audiences to resonate with her experiences, even if they are not fully immersed in her cultural background. Día de Muertos gives time to reflect and honor those close to us, providing comfort in a concept that leaves so many of us mournful. Sugar Skull celebrates these emotions by holding space for all of life’s abstraction and diversity.
“I hope that the tool they're able to take away from the show is how to deal with grief. I do feel like Mexico does a great job of dealing with something so inevitable as death, and we do it in such a way as a celebration of life. I hope people get to take that from the show and implement it in their own lives.”
Not only is Sugar Skull an indispensable production for its messages of acceptance and inclusion, but it has also allowed so many viewers to feel secure in their culture amidst a time when support sometimes feels dire. Art that moves and creates conversations has become vital for sparking change. When speaking to Valeria about what has been the most fulfilling and valuable experience while on tour with Sugar Skull, her answer opened my eyes to an entire aspect of the show that I had yet to consider: productions that represent and uplift diverse communities leave audiences not only with a story but also with a deep understanding and connection to the characters.
“With the current political climate, it has become very scary to just be ourselves, speak our language, and be in public,” says Valeria. “Being able to not only encourage the feeling of power in our community but also to bring it to cities where there's a huge Latinx community and offer this refuge and beacon of light, for me, is why I do art.”
Valeria left me with one final thought that encapsulates the entire show flawlessly: “I truly like to make sure that people feel connected to it and are moved by it. Right now, this show is gonna bring a lot of hope and a lot of apapacho, a little saying in Spanish, which means ‘a hug to the soul.’”
For more information on Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure, which comes to Proctors on November 13th, visit: https://www.sugarskullontour.com/