Scenic Design and paper sculpture by Leigh Henderson

Teatro Visión (San José, CA), October 2023

An original Milagro Theater Día de Muertos production devised by Rebecca Martinez and the Milagro Theater Ensemble

Directed by Rodrigo García

In this hilarious, musical take on the afterlife, los muertitos (the dead) can’t wait to get back to earth on Día de Muertos and La Muerte can’t wait to finally have a day to relax! But when one soul isn’t ready to go back, everyone’s holiday is in danger!

Inspired by the Mexican tree of life pottery tradition and made of hundreds of hand-made paper sculptures, the set expresses the vibrancy and fullness of the afterlife. The tree of life also functions as a portal, opening like a turnstile to allow los muertitos to pass through. Floating paper umbrella clouds with lights inside create a simultaneous sense of buoyancy and loss.