Alpaqa’s JEEZUS! bursts onto the Fringe stage with a riotous blend of Latin rhythm, queer defiance and religious satire. Winner of the prestigious Untapped Award, this bold new musical by Sergio Antonio Maggiolo, co-created with Guido García Lueches and directed by Laura Killeen, is a feverish fantasia that refuses to play by the rules.
Set in South America, the story follows altar boy Jesús as he prepares for his first communion. But when he finds himself unexpectedly drawn to the crucified Christ, the ceremony spirals into a surreal journey of queer awakening and spiritual rebellion. What unfolds is a kaleidoscopic collision of Catholic guilt, colonial critique and unapologetic sensuality.
Maggiolo and García Lueches deliver powerhouse performances, switching between characters with magnetic energy and vocal prowess. The Latin-infused score pulses with life, while Killeen’s direction keeps the chaos tightly choreographed. The show’s aesthetic is as vibrant as its politics, with Carolina Rieckhof’s costumes adding a playful edge to the sacrilegious spectacle.
Though occasionally veering into sensory overload, JEEZUS! never loses its heart. It’s a show that dares to ask big questions about faith, identity and liberation, all while keeping the audience laughing and gasping in equal measure.
