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CARGO: A Semi Musical
Synopsis
This fast-paced musical dramedy features the Dillos, a group of independent truckers from both sides of the Texas/Mexico border and a group of migrants on their way to Chicago. A crooked sheriff extorts both groups, but then hands the migrants over to DHS. The Dillos concoct an outrageous plan to break them out.
Cast
TR 40s-50s, masc. Latinx, Mexican, truck driver, bari-tenor
Lorena 30s-40s, queer, Latinx, feminist, Mexican- American, truck driver, mezzo soprano
Theo 18-20s, any gender, African American, truck driver, tenor
Willy 60s-70s, male, Caucasian American, truck driver, bass
Sue 60s-70s, fem. Southerner, American, truck driver, alto
Sheriff Richard Little 40s-50s, male, white, bass/baritone
Joaquin 30s, Latinx masc., undocumented migrant, bari-tenor
Lupe 20s, Latinx femme., undocumented migrant, mezzo
Manuela 10+, Latinx, undocumented migrant, alto
Isa any age, femme, Latinx, waitress, soprano
Rodolfo 40s-50s, masc, Latinx, undocumented, tenor
Adelita 40s-50s, Latinx. truck driver, soprano
Border Patrol Agent/FBI Agent/Truckers 1-5 any race/gender
Watch the CARGO Video
Features Dolores Díaz (book & lyrics), Curtis Powell (lyrics & music), and George Cederquest (dramaturg & director) discussing the story of CARGO and the collaboration that brought this throwback to the golden age of truckers to life. The themes in CARGO are more relevant today than ever - the plight of independent truckers and undocumented migrants in America. In CARGO their stories and fates are intertwined. More fun videos about the process of creating CARGO here!
Listen to Music from CARGO
CARGO OPENER (music & lyrics by Curtis Powell) sung by Nancy Hays, Juan Muñoz, Curtis Powell
DILLO TALK (music & lyrics by Curtis Powell) sung by Heather Maza
MI MAMÁ ME PUSO TORIBIO (music & lyrics by Dolores Díaz) sung by Juan Muñoz
HOW STUPID IS THAT? (music & lyrics by Curtis Powell) sung by Nancy Hays
MONEY IN MY POCKET & REPRISE (music & lyrics by Curtis Powell) sung by Curtis Powell
WILL SHE BE THERE? (music & lyrics by Curtis Powell) sung by Heather Meza
PUEDO IR CON USTEDES (music & lyrics by Curtis Powell) sung by Juan Muñoz
REDWING BLACKBIRD (music & lyrics by Curtis Powell) sung by Curtis Powell
Y muchos mas!
Have a ball! Production Notes
CARGO received a live concert reading at Chicago Dramatists Theatre in October 2022 and is ready for a full production. It requires a pit including keyboard, percussion, guitar, and bass/guitarrón. An instrumental track is also available but live musicians are preferred. Director George Cederquist swears there are many creative ways to bring the thrill of long-haul semis to the stage and we know better than to underestimate George!