(RED BANK, NJ) -- Two River Theater has announced the cast and creative team for American Mariachi, a moving comedy full of humor, heart, and joyful live music, written by José Cruz González (If by Chance, The Extraordinary Ms. ZLuna Captures the World), directed by James Vásquez (Two River's smash hit Hair, Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas!), arrangements by Cynthia Reifler Flores (American Mariachi, Seabiscuit). The production runs from September 28 through October 20, 2024.

“Music, family, and joy, that’s what it’s all about,” says Artistic Director Justin Waldman. “What Jose and James have built with American Mariachi is an utter delight. As the guitarron strums, the trumpet blares, and the band comes together, you’ll be smiling from ear to ear.”

“I’m so happy to share American Mariachi with Red Bank,” Director James Vásquez says. “It is a story about community and family, traditions both old and new, and a celebration of the most glorious music ever played.”

Photo from rehearsal by Emma Harken

Cousins Lucha and Boli have a plan— start an all-girl mariachi band! So what if it’s the 1970s and no one’s heard of such a thing? So what if they can’t play and have no costumes? So what if their families disapprove? They are on a mission to find some bandmates and make their mariachi dreams come true.

The cast includes: Jordan Arredondo (Sanctuary City, In the Heights) as Mateo, Maggie Bofill (Bai Pas, War Words, The Trial of Judas Iscariot) as Amalia, Crissy Guerrero (American Mariachi, State Fair, La Posada Magica) as Soyla, Addie Morales (Les Misérables Broadway National Tour) as Lucha, Marina Pires (How to Dance in Ohio, On Your Feet! Broadway National Tours) as Isabel, Bobby Plasencia (Orchi Receipt Service, Luz, Julius Caesar) as Mino, Marta Rymer (Once National Tour) as Tía Carmen, Martín Solá (Broadway How to Dance in Ohio, On Your Feet!, The King and I) as Federico, Heather Velazquez (American Mariachi, Pipeline, Pinkolandia) as Boli, and Erika Zade (Rent, “The Voice” Season 15) as Gabby.

The band includes Christopher Casado (trumpet), Edgar Jamil Mata (guitarron), Emilio Hernandez (violin), Jared Martinez (vihuela).

The creative team includes: Music Director Alvaro Paulino Jr., Scenic Designer Diggle, Costume Designer Christopher Vergara ,  Lighting Designer Rui Rita, Sound Designer Fitz Patton, Hair and Make Up Designer Gabbie Vincent, Music Consultant Cynthia Reifler Flores, Casting by Caparelliotis Casting - David Caparelliots and Joe Gery, Stage Manager Carolina Arboleda, Assistant Stage Manager Leslie Ann Boyden.

In conjunction with the production, Two River will offer the following events:

Wednesday, October 2 at 5:30pm Studio A - In the Know with Justin Waldman. Artistic Director Justin Waldman leads a discussion with director James Vásquez on his artistic career, professional history, and what went into the direction of this production. This event is FREE, tickets to the 7:00pm performance following the event are available for purchase. Tickets are available here.

Sunday, October 13 at 7:00pm Marion Huber Theater - Two River Theater and Lakehouse Music Academy Present: A Celebration of Local Latine Music. Join TRT and Asbury Park music incubator Lakehouse Music Academy in celebrating the incredible breadth of the Monmouth County Latine music scene! Rock and Roll, Salsa, Mariachi– the beats will have your feet moving! This event is FREE.  Tickets are available here.

Friday, October 18 at 5:30pm Marion Huber Theater - Two River Theater and Lady Celestina Present: Las Amigas Fabulosa Drag Night. A night of drag artistry, featuring performances by incredible Latine drag queens Nikky Sky Blake, Catrina Lovelace, and host Kimmy Sumony. This event is $20. Tickets to the 8PM performance following the event are available for purchase. Tickets are available here.

TICKET INFORMATION: Regular ticket prices range from $45 to $80, depending on date and time of show and selected seat. A number of $25 seats are available for each performance, and Under 35 tickets are $35 for any performance, any seat. 2024/2025 Season three and four play subscriptions are available for purchase! Subscribers receive a 25% discount off regular price tickets, free exchanges and other perks.

Groups of 10 or more receive a 20% discount and  should email groups@trtc.org directly for reservations. A nonrefundable 50% deposit will be required to secure group tickets.

Calling all teachers! Student matinee performances for American Mariachi are selling quickly! Performance dates are October 10 and October 17 at 10:00am. Contact stumats@trtc.or for more information.

Pay What You Wish performance dates – where you set the ticket price that works for you – are September 28 at 8:00pm and September 39 at 3:00pm. Tickets can only be purchased at the Box Office on the day of the Pay What You Wish performances. 

For tickets and more information, please click here.

Plays, artists, dates, and ticket prices are subject to change.

ACCESS SERVICES: Access services for American Mariachi will include a Fragrance Free performance on Saturday, October 5 at 3:00pm, Sensory Inclusive performance on Sunday, October 6 at 7:30pm, a Play Date on Saturday, October 12 at 3:00pm offering free childcare services and discounted tickets for caregivers attending that performance, and Audio Described and Open Captioned performance on Saturday, October 19 at 3:00pm. For more information on Two River Theater’s access services, please click here.

SPONSORSHIP: Two River Theater’s 2024/25 Season Sponsor is Hackensack Meridian Riverview Medical Center.

Two River Theater is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, the State of New Jersey, the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, the New Jersey Council for the Humanities and the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners. Private support includes the Achelis & Bodman Foundation, Citizens Philanthropic Foundation, The Merrill G. and Emita E. Hastings Foundation, Investors Foundation, Jersey Coast Family Law, The Jewish Federation in the Heart of New Jersey, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation, Manasquan Bank Charitable Foundation, Monmouth University, Springpoint Senior Living Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, The John Ben Snow Memorial Trust, The Stone Foundation of New Jersey, Triumph Brewing Company, Visiting Nurse Association of NJ Health Group, Zynergy Retirement Planning, and other generous funders.

Two River Theater produces American and world classics, new plays and musicals, programs for young people, and festivals of new work. Each year, we serve over 20,000 students, families and community members through our 4-6 show season, and 40+ events that reflect our diverse community of Monmouth County. Two River produces work on two stages—the 350-seat Joan and Robert Rechnitz Theater, and the flexible 110-seat Marion Huber Theater.

In 2020 they expanded their campus to 80,000 square feet with the opening of the Center for New Work, Education and Design. Two River Theater has commissioned and premiered original projects including Be More Chill by Tony Award nominee Joe Iconis and Joe Tracz (the theater’s first Broadway production) and Hurricane Diane by former Playwright-in-Residence Madeleine George (which won an Obie Award for its Off-Broadway run), and  in June 2019, Two River was nationally recognized by USA TODAY as one of “10 great places to see a play.” Two River Theater is led by Artistic Director Justin Waldman and Managing Director Nora DeVeau-Rosen.