Migguel Anggelo is a Venezuelan-American singer-songwriter, multidisciplinary performing artist and countertenor, dancer, actor and painter. His work explores the intersections of his queer, Latino and immigrant identities using music, physical theater, dance, text and costume. As a theater creator, he has been awarded residencies to develop new works at MASS MoCA, the Kimmel Center, the Miami Light Project and beyond.

LatinXoxo – January 12, 15 and 17 at Under the Radar Festival 2023 at Joe’s Pub – is Migguel Anggelo’s nonconforming and self-accepting rallying cry: a break from “Latin Lover” clichés and his own Venezuelan father’s gendered expectations. With indelible precision, weaving in and out of the audience, the artist connects past and present while unraveling the stereotypes that would otherwise constrain him. LatinXoXo was designed to immerse an audience in a highly personal story. It is an artful collage of theater, queer comedy, physical movement, and sumptuous song selections. The musical repertoire spans decades of pop hits, his own original compositions, and the Spanish boleros that defined his youth. These performances are part of the Joe’s Pub + Under the Radar: In Concert series.

LatinXoxo
January 12, 15, 17 (Running Time: 70 Minutes) 
Conceived by Migguel Anggelo (Venezuela/U.S.)  
Book by C. Julian Jiménez 
Musical direction by Jaime Lozano  
Directed by Adrian Alexander Alea 

-What is the story behind the LatinXoxo and what shall we expect to see?

LatinXoxo is a really personal story. It’s basically a conversation with my late father, told through the voices of three characters that are all different sides of me — A young Virgin, a prostitute inspired by Bizet’s Carmen, and a Toreador who wants to become a Matador — “Latin Lover” clichés as seen through the eyes of my papá.  

The show is essentially a reckoning with my dead father, who I had a difficult relationship with.  It’s filled with tons of music, queer comedy, and physical movement.  The music mixes my original songs with a mashup of pop hits, opera, and the Spanish boleros that my father used to sing to mother as a kid.  And the costumes by Ryan Park are fabulous!!!

-How does your work explore and represent the queer latin voices?

I always hope that my work holds a mirror for those that don’t normally see their own stories on stage.  
Having a good relationship with a parent and that parent embracing and respecting their kid’s sexuality and/or gender identity is universal, regardless of where you are from in the world, right?
In LatinXoxo and in my work in general, I draw upon my own personal experience as a queer Latino to mine the territories of identity, belonging, and acceptance.  Yes, I filter that through my background, through the influences I grew up with in Venezuela, but I am also very conscious that I am a person of two worlds — Venezuela and the United States.  I use the feelings that arise from that reality to make my art. That comes from deep down, from an honest place.

-How did your drag persona come to life and what does drag mean to you?

I don’t have a drag persona. I’m just an actor who loves to play many roles — sometimes they are female identified, sometimes male, even sometimes I play a caterpillar as I just did in the NYC premiere of my theatrical concert (driven by dance) called English with an Accent.  In LatinXoxo, when I take on female identified characters (and male, for that matter), it’s to unravel stereotypes of masculinity.

I have a lot of respect and love for drag performers. They are so strong, unique, and very brave. I admire them. In fact one of my best friends does drag, and she taught me how to walk in heels for LatinXoxo. I love her.

-How has your career evolved over the years and what shall we expect from you in the future?

I am always looking to change and evolve as an artist. I am still growing up in this profession, and every day I learn from new experiences.  But one thing you can be sure of — I will continue to push the boundaries. 

This has been a big year for me. I released a new record (English with an Accent), premiered a new stage show of the same name, and LatinXoxo will be touring throughout the United States this year and next.  So maybe I will be in a town near all of you?!  We have dates already confirmed in California at Stanford Live, at Utah Presents in Salt Lake City, dates in Florida at the Kravis Center and with the Miami Light Project and Out in the Tropics co-presenting, Chicago is coming . . . so keep on a look out. 

I would love to share my stories on the stage with all of you.

Migguel Anggelo: Official site / Instagram / Twitter / Facebook / Linktree / YouTube

LatinXoxo
January 12, 15, 17  
Conceived by Migguel Anggelo

https://publictheater.org/programs/joes-pub/