AMÉRICA TROPICAL tells a universal story of a family fighting to stay together as systemic forces are tearing them apart.

Rita Rey must save her family against Repatriation, the Depression-era policy where hundreds of thousands of people of Mexican ancestry were deported; more than half of those were US citizens. Based on real people and events, our heroine must use her wits to outsmart a corrupt cop to get her family back.

RITA REY (the musical) has a social justice theme, but it is not a grievance piece. Its primary goal is to entertain and appeal to a broad demographic, similar to other upbeat musicals with underlying social justice themes, such as: Cabaret, Suffs, Newsies, Chicago, and Hairspray.

SIZZLE REEL HERE

Formerly América Tropical

1932: Olvera Street is the number one tourist destination in Los Angeles. Costumed performers and colorful stalls filled with artisan crafts create the illusion of an 'authentic' Mexican village in the heart of the city.
1932: Olvera Street is the number one tourist destination in Los Angeles. Costumed performers and colorful stalls filled with artisan crafts create the illusion of an 'authentic' Mexican village in the heart of the city.
To celebrate Olvera's success, the socialite who envisioned the attraction, Mrs. Christine Sterling, implements a grand mural for the street; one that idealizes the street's allure, romance, and enchantment.
To celebrate Olvera's success, the socialite who envisioned the attraction, Mrs. Christine Sterling, implements a grand mural for the street; one that idealizes the street's allure, romance, and enchantment.
The celebrated Mexican muralist David Siqueiros is commissioned to paint the mural, but Siqueiros secretly conspires to create a disturbing vision of imperialism, prejudice, and suffering. He calls it— América Tropical. His infatuation with this story's heroine, Rita Rey, has unintended consequences.
The celebrated Mexican muralist David Siqueiros is commissioned to paint the mural, but Siqueiros secretly conspires to create a disturbing vision of imperialism, prejudice, and suffering. He calls it— América Tropical. His infatuation with this story's heroine, Rita Rey, has unintended consequences.
Guy McAfee, is the infamous Commander of LAPD's Vice Squad. His corruption is shameless, and he owns prostitution rings and gambling houses across LA. He's determined to take over Rita's speakeasy, but when she resists, McAfee has her father, a US citizen, deported— Repatriated to Mexico.
Guy McAfee, is the infamous Commander of LAPD's Vice Squad. His corruption is shameless, and he owns prostitution rings and gambling houses across LA. He's determined to take over Rita's speakeasy, but when she resists, McAfee has her father, a US citizen, deported— Repatriated to Mexico.
Repatriation was the Depression-era policy that deported hundreds of thousands of Mexican Americans, US citizens, to create jobs for "real Americans". The illegal policy tore apart over a half million American families.
Repatriation was the Depression-era policy that deported hundreds of thousands of Mexican Americans, US citizens, to create jobs for "real Americans". The illegal policy tore apart over a half million American families.
Siqueiros' mural on Olvera Street, América Tropical, flaunts his communist ideals, and it lies directly in the sightline of Los Angeles City Hall. Sterling, with the backing of the city's powerbrokers, has it destroyed by whitewashing it.
Siqueiros' mural on Olvera Street, América Tropical, flaunts his communist ideals, and it lies directly in the sightline of Los Angeles City Hall. Sterling, with the backing of the city's powerbrokers, has it destroyed by whitewashing it.