Life imitates art with ‘Somewhere Over the Border’ musical

People’s Light is taking audiences down the yellow brick road with its latest production.

Brian Quijada’s ‘Somewhere Over the Border‘ is inspired by the real life story of his mother’s journey from El Salvador to the United States, only retold through the lens of the magical land of Oz. Directed by Laura Acalá Baker, the musical is on stage now through Aug. 11.

Somewhere Over the Border’s Latin continuum cast — Gloria Vivica Benavides, Isabella Campos, Bobby Plasencia, Jerreme Rodriguez, Ariana Valdes — is led by its Mexican-born narrator Arusi Santi, who has several secrets up his sleeve when he recently spoke to Metro.

As a theater artist and as a native of Mexico, how did you feel when you first opened the script to ‘Somewhere Over the Border’?

The first time I read the script, I sobbed. Not kidding, I was a wreck. It’s not often you come across a script with such heart and joy. I knew I had to do the very best audition I could because I just had to be a part of it.

Did you grow up with the ‘Wizard of Oz’ on television as a kid in Mexico? Did you have feelings about its fantastic story and message?

Not really. I knew of it, but in Mexico, it’s not a part of the cultural fabric like it is here in the U.S. It was just the movie that went into technicolor, and that was really cool, but that’s about it.

What do you think about Brian Quijada’s Oz-metaphorical take on his mother’s journey from El Salvador to the United States?

I think it’s brilliant. It’s a way for people who don’t necessarily have a personal connection with someone crossing the border into the U.S. to feel empathy, and you can’t help but be rooting for her in the end. One of the many wonderful things about live theatre is that it offers a path towards empathy. It offers the opportunity to see yourself reflected in a story that may be different from your own, and hopefully reach a deeper understanding of how we’re not that different from each other.

As the narrator, you are all-seeing. Are you a double for the Wizard behind the green velvet curtain in any way?

I don’t want to give too much away, but I will say that you will be very surprised by the ending. I’d also suggest you bring some tissues, because I have a strong feeling you’ll be crying, laughing, and dancing by the time we take our final bow… The ending of the show is my favorite. I get to look out into the audience, see everyone’s eyes and we get to have a moment together honoring the unbelievable, beautiful, brave, inspiring story we were all just a part of.

How does this musical twist on tradition – the music of Cumbia – play another character in ‘Border’?

The musical journey is definitely another character in the show. Brian and our Music Director Mike Meketa Sanchez have done a wonderful job of having the different stages’ journey be reflected in the musical style we’re playing at any given time. We have cumbia, tangos, hip hop, ranchera, mariachi, and beautiful ballads. We have it all.

What are you hoping audiences will walk away from ‘Border’ feeling — especially during an election year, where immigration rights are under a microscope?

I wish people walk out of this show feeling hopeful, empowered, and ready to tackle whatever comes their way with a Cumbia beat in the background. Latinos, in my opinion, have a superpower. And that is the power to face some of the hardest obstacles with grit and determination, and at the end of the day we will laugh and dance about it. Some of the harshest breakup songs have some of the catchiest dancing rhythms, and that, to me, is our gift to share with the world. Life may be tough, but it’s also beautiful and strange, so you might as well dance your way through it.

‘Somewhere Over the Border’ is on stage now through Aug. 11. For information and tickets, visit peopleslight.org