With technical rehearsals underway and a creative team fine-tuning every detail, the production Somewhere Over the Border is preparing for its premiere at Cygnet Theatre, in the heart of the Arts District at Liberty Station. The play, written by playwright Brian Quijada, opens February 18 and runs through March 15 at the Joseph Clayes III Theater, with a special opening night performance on February 21.
During a visit ahead of opening night, director and choreographer Carlos Mendoza welcomed the El Latino San Diego team, led by Fanny Miller, to the theater facilities to tour the spaces, the art gallery, and the stage where the story comes to life.
“Technical rehearsals have already begun… that moment when you remember that, although one person may guide the vision, it truly takes a community to bring a story to life,” said Mendoza, who also serves as the theater’s Director of Education and Community Outreach. “This show will live in my heart forever.”
Inspired by Quijada’s personal experience, the play tells the story of a Salvadoran mother who leaves her country in 1978 in search of a better future for her son. With nods to The Wizard of Oz and a narrative that blends magical realism with Latin American rhythms—from cumbia to bolero, from mariachi to hip hop—the production follows Reina on a journey that crosses El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico before arriving in San Diego, with a final destination in Los Angeles and Chicago.
Mendoza emphasized that his approach was guided by three principles: “beauty, class, and elegance.” “I didn’t want it to be just an immigration story; it’s a story about difficult decisions that belong to all of us,” he said. The director held multiple conversations with Quijada to explore a more cinematic style and give greater weight to the narrator figure. “I reached a point where I also saw my family’s story reflected—my mother’s story—and I believe the audience will feel that same impact.”
The scenic design, led by Tanya Orellana—originally from El Salvador—incorporates elements that evoke the protagonist’s homeland while maintaining an aesthetic reference to the 1939 classic. Lighting design by Ryan Fallis, projections by Blake McCarty, and sound design by Jordan Gray reinforce the immersive atmosphere. Costumes by Janet Pitcher and wigs by Peter Herman reinterpret archetypes such as the Lion, the Tin Man, and the Scarecrow through a late-1970s Latin American lens.
“I am deeply grateful for the brilliance of our designers and production team. It truly takes a village to lift a vision like this,” Mendoza reiterated, also acknowledging the work of the technical team led by Eric Clark.
The cast is led by Vanessa Orozco as Reina, joined by Crissy Guerrero, Luis Sherlinee, Edward Padilla, Luzma Ortiz, Dhani Solorio, and Fernando Vega as the narrator. Live music is performed by a band directed by Lyndon Pugeda.
For Mendoza, the production’s relevance is undeniable. “Theater exists to spark change and conversation. This story will move audiences. It’s a Latino story, a women’s story, and a universal story at the same time,” he said.
Somewhere Over the Border aims to become one of the most moving productions of the season in San Diego, reminding audiences that, as in every transformative journey, courage and community can carry us somewhere beyond the rainbow.