(TOMS RIVER, NJ) -- Experience a magical celebration of life and remembrance when the Calpulli Mexican Dance Company presents "Día de Muertos" at the Grunin Center for the Arts at Ocean County College, Wednesday, October 15, 2025 at 7:00pm. Using both folk and classical music and dance, they explore a love story that spans the boundary between the living and the departed.

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 $39 and available for purchase online or by calling the Box Office at 732-255-0500. Grunin Center for the Arts is located on the Ocean County College campus in Toms River, New Jersey.

This work has become a new holiday classic for the Company and is a wonderful way to connect with audiences of all backgrounds. It was recently restaged with support from Dramaturg Gabriela Garcia.

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. Read the letter from the Artistic Director.

For 60 years, Ocean County College, a public two-year community college sponsored by Ocean County and the State of New Jersey, has provided area residents with the opportunity to benefit from higher education. OCC is an innovative academic leader offering affordable, student-centered, high-quality educational experiences that empower diverse learners to achieve their goals while enriching the communities we serve.