(GLASSBORO, NJ) -- Rowan University's Marie Rader Presenting Series presents the Calpulli Mexican Dance Company with Dia de Muertos on Sunday, November 2, 2025 at 3:00pm in Pfleeger Concert Hall. The company celebrates the past and present of Mexican-American culture through universal messages of love and hope.
A small town in southern Mexico prepares for a celebration. The town rejoices at Lupita’s arrival, and that of Raul, her beloved. Maximiliano, only son of the town’s richest family, reminds Lupita’s mother of their secret agreement. Upon learning of the arrangement, Lupita refuses. Dejected, Maximiliano challenges Raul to a duel and loses. Maximiliano's revenge on Raul mistakenly ends up in the hands of Lupita, ending her life without the chance to say goodbye to her loved one.
Lupita is transported to Mictlán, the world of the dead, where she meets La Catrina. Lupita is in awe of the beauty she sees and remembers Raul. La Catrina, surprised by seeing sadness, gives Lupita an opportunity to say goodbye to her love. Lupita, returns to the world of the living. La Catrina shows Raul that one day he will meet his beloved in the world of the departed. With new found hope, Raul and the townsfolk continue to celebrate the return of their departed loved ones.
Tickets are available for purchase online. Pfleeger Concert Hall is located at North Campus Drife in Glassboro, New Jersey.
Using both folk and classical music and dance, Calpulli Mexican Dance Company’s Dia de los Muertos explores a love story that spans the boundary between the living and the departed. A loving couple falls victim to treachery and is separated, seemingly forever. The young woman enters Mictlán- the underworld of Aztec mythology- where the mesmerizing Catrina reigns as queen.
The original concept for Día de Muertos was a show by Calpulli premiered in 2004 at Queens Theatre in the Park named "Tiempo de Cempazuchitl/Time of the Marigold." Then Artistic Director Noemy Hernandez created Calpulli's first story-based production in 2012 premiered at the Schimmel Center for the Arts at Pace University. The final production of the story was premiered at Queens Theatre in 2016 under the Artistic Direction of Alberto Lopez Herrera, Dramaturg and co-story writer Roberto Lara, with Music Direction by George Saenz.
Founded in 2003, Calpulli Mexican Dance Company celebrates and explores Mexican and
Mexican-American culture via dance including live music. Based in New York City, Calpulli produces professional performances via its international touring company, designs arts-in-education programming, and leads community outreach activities, most notably Calpulli Community in Queens, Staten Island, Red Bank, NJ and New Rochelle.
The word calpulli (pronounced cawl-pool-lee) is an Aztec word that means “big house,” “clan,” and “family.” They are a calpulli of dancers, musicians, and teachers that, as a non-profit organization, contributes to the city, country, and community they love.
The Marie Rader Presenting Series (MRPS) at Rowan University is a curated performing arts series that uplifts the region’s cultural landscape. Focused on artistic integrity and inclusion, MRPS provides public offerings that reflect the innovation and quality consistent with Rowan University’s overall standards of high achievement and transformation, while providing unprecedented access for the community.
Because of the Marie Rader Series, you don't have to travel to New York or Philadelphia to see some of the most influential leaders in dance, music, theatre and beyond. This series is also designed to introduce you to artists you wouldn't otherwise encounter-- artists who reflect not only the future of performing arts, but who help us envision a better world, right now, right here in South Jersey.
The Marie Rader is made possible in part through generous support from the Henry M. Rowan Family Foundation via the Marie Rader Memorial Fund and through funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts.
