Zapata: A Folklorico Superhero Musical
Two versions. One hero.
Zapata: A Folklorico Superhero Musical is an action-packed musical that blends the power of folklorico dance, superhero adventure, and an original score inspired by Mexican music and Broadway.
Zapata: A Folklorico Superhero Musical - Family Edition
A superhero adventure for the whole family.
NOW AVAILABLE FOR LICENSING AND PRODUCTION
Synopsis: Set in present day, sixteen-year-old Xochitl Fernandez dreams of becoming a folklorico dancer. Her mother, Ofelia, vehemently opposes the idea, urging Xochitl to focus on college, pursue a well-paying job for stability, and assimilate as the best possible American. Constantly on the move from city to city, the duo finally finds a semblance of home in Tejas. However, their stability is shattered when Ofelia, on the brink of a promotion at her energy drink company, is abducted by the villainous HELADO and his gatito army.
Xochitl is left in the dark about her mother's whereabouts until her pet chihuahua, Chicalinga, reveals a family secret (yes, a talking perro). To her amazement, Xochitl discovers that she shares a special power with her her mother and grandmother – the power of Zapata! In a quest to rescue her ama from Helado, Xochitl embarks on a journey down El Camino De Las Estrellas to find Mazatepa, Mexico, essential for fully unlocking the power of Zapata. She will be tested along the way and will need to call on specific traditional Ballet Folklorico dance moves to pass tests. Along the way, she receives assistance from her trusty sidekick, Chicalinga. ¡Ajua!
CAST SIZE:
5 principals (3f, 2m), optional ensemble.
PERFECT FOR:
Families - Young Audiences - Schools - Community Theatres - Regional Theatres
NOW AVAILABLE FOR LICENSING AND PRODUCTION
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Conceived by: Jesse J. Sanchez
Book, Music, Lyrics: Jesse J. Sanchez
Orchestrations: Jesse J. Sanchez
Developing Director: Anna Skidis Vargas -
2026 Zach Theatre World Premiere Production (SOLD-OUT)
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2026 TYA USA National Conference Song Slam
2025 National Alliance for Musical Theatre Frank Young Fund Production Grant Recipient
2025 Zach Theatre Workshop
2025 Live & In Color Staged Reading
2025 VCCA Fellowship Residency
2025 Zach Theatre Reading
2024 Zach Theatre/Austin Latinx New Play Festival Development Residency
2024 Zach Theatre Reading
2023 National Alliance for Musical Theatre Frank Young Fund Writers Residency Grant Recipient
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2026 Austin Critics Circle Award Nomination Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical
2025 Live & In Color Development Residency Winner
2025 National Alliance for Musical Theatre Frank Young Fund Production Grant
2024 Milagro Artist Fund Grant
2024 National Alliance for Musical Theatre Festival of New Musicals Songwriters Showcase
2023 National Alliance for Musical Theatre Frank Young Fund Writers Residency Grant
Zapata: A Folklorico Superhero Musical
The expanded mainstage version
CURRENTLY IN DEVELOPMENT
The world of ZAPATA is growing.
The expanded mainstage version takes Xochitl’s journery into a larger, more epic theatrical world. One that explores not only what it means to become a hero, but what happens when grief, fear and rage are allowed to shape who we become.
As Xochitl journeys toward the legendary power of Zapata, she must confront challenges that test her deepest fears and discover whether true strength comes from power over others or from the courage to choose love, family, and community.
With an expanded book and score, deeper character journeys, a larger folklorico inspired movement vocabulary, and an even more ambitious superhero world, the mainstage version of ZAPATA explores the complicated legacy of heroism and the choices that define us.
THE MAINSTAGE VERSION EXPANDS:
-The mythology and world of Zapata
-Xochitl’s journey toward becoming a hero
-The story and motivations of Helado
-Themes of grief, rage, family, and community
-The scale of the music, movement, and superhero world
THE MAINSTAGE VERSION IS CURRENTLY IN DEVELOPMENT.
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Conceived by: Jesse J. Sanchez
Book, Music, Lyrics: Jesse J. Sanchez
Orchestrations: Jesse J. Sanchez -
2026 Musical Theatre West New Works Festival Staged Reading
2026 TYA USA National Conference Song Slam
2025 National Alliance for Musical Theatre Frank Young Fund Production Grant Recipient
2025 Zach Theatre Workshop
2025 Live & In Color Staged Reading
2025 VCCA Fellowship Residency
2025 Zach Theatre Reading
2024 Zach Theatre/Austin Latinx New Play Festival Development Residency
2024 Zach Theatre Reading
2023 National Alliance for Musical Theatre Frank Young Fund Writers Residency Grant Recipient
-
2026 Austin Critics Circle Award Nomination Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical
2025 Live & In Color Development Residency Winner
2025 National Alliance for Musical Theatre Frank Young Fund Production Grant
2024 Milagro Artist Fund Grant
2024 National Alliance for Musical Theatre Festival of New Musicals Songwriters Showcase
2023 National Alliance for Musical Theatre Frank Young Fund Writers Residency Grant
If you are a producer and/or theater company who is interested in the development of the mainstage version of ZAPATA, we are currently taking meetings to discuss future commercial productions.