A celebration of life after death: 'Sugar Skull!' tells the tale of a Mexican tradition through music, dance

The beauty and tradition of Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrating our ancestors is brought to life on stage through “Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure.”

The performance features Mexican music and folk dance with a storyline that is a good time for the entire family. The story will unfold at 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 13, at Popejoy Hall on the University of New Mexico campus.

A celebration of life after death: 'Sugar Skull!' tells the tale of a Mexican tradition through music, dance

“I love that this is a coming of age story going through the journey of the eyes of a 12-year-old girl trying to connect with her roots in Mexico,” said Regina Carregha, who plays several roles in the production. “She’s raised in Brooklyn and her mom is going on and on about Día de los Muertos, which is Day of the Dead, and it’s a great, beautiful Mexican celebration that we have on the first days in November to honor our ancestors.”

Carregha said the performance is from the perspective of the girl who has not connected with her past or her heritage, but is learning about it through the help of the sugar skull man.

“This sugar skull man guides her through this journey of embracing her culture and understanding why this tradition is so important and understanding that in our Mexican culture, death isn’t scary,” she explained. “It’s a transitional period of life and our ancestors. Our lost loved ones, who have passed, are still alive in our memories and this celebration is our way to connect with them and honor their lives.”

Carregha said the storyline is what intrigued her to become a part of the production.

“I was like, this is so cool to be able to share my own personal Mexican heritage with people that don’t really have access to this kind of stories all over the United States,” she expressed.

Carregha added what makes the show special is the Mexican music and dance stick to the traditional style. The music was arranged by Sinuhé Padilla, who is the musical director.

“The actual music are traditional folk songs that are from all over Mexico,” she explained. “These are authentic Mexican dances and authentic rhythms and instruments that we are bringing to tell this story with traditional dances. This whole piece is just curating the brilliance, the vibrancy of the Mexican culture.”

“Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure” has many stops throughout the country, and the Albuquerque performance will be a special one for Carregha.

“Everything shines through the choreography and the storytelling that the cast is bringing to each one of these venues,” she said. “I personally am so grateful to be in Albuquerque because I lived in Santa Fe for two years. So going back to New Mexico is always a joy for me.”