Border Walls: A Musical About Redbeard of the Rio Grande

This musical about Redbeard of the Rio Grande deals with U.S.-Mexico Border issues, including Mexican-American identity, Hispanic-Anglo and U.S.-Mexican relations, and belief in the supernatural. It tells the actual life of Border bandido hero Juan Cortina (“Redbeard”). The characters are historical, and even seemingly unlikely developments can be documented. Reviews of the Bravo Opera Production on 17 and 18 April 2004: “I hope … that this play can be more widely seen… The music is an integral part of the show and provides much of its quality entertainment… The play was well attended and enjoyed.” --- Mimosa Stephenson, Mesquite Review: International Literature, Art and Culture, April/May 2004 “I was overwhelmed with the quality and originality of the music and lyrics. Dr. Kearney has demonstrated an enormous deal of creative genius.” -– Justin Lawrence, The Library Gazette of the University of Texas at Brownsville, Volume 1, Issue 3 (1 May 2004)