By Christina Fernández-Morrow
When 12-year-old Vita Flores complains that her family has gone overboard planning a party for deceased loved ones, she’s in for a magical surprise. Sugar Skull, a spirited candy skeleton springs to life, whisking her away on a musical journey that teaches her the true meaning of Día de los Muertos.
“Sugar Skull! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure” brings this bilingual celebration to the Des Moines Civic Center stage on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025, at 11 a.m. as part of the Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield Family Series. The 60-minute production, with no intermission, features traditional regional music and dances from across Mexico in a show designed for children of all ages.
“It is very colorful and full of light,” said Yuliana Sleme, who plays Vita. “We make it fun, so kids can see that there is joy even after loss, and that our loved ones are still with us in many ways and we can honor that.” The actress, originally from southern Mexico, brings unique, authentic cultural knowledge to the role.
Together with Sugar Skull, Vita dances with ancient ancestors, sings with a sorrowful sorceress, escapes the trickster Chaneques, and encounters the famous Catrina Calavera as she gathers missing pieces for her family’s ofrenda, an altar honoring deceased loved ones, before time runs out.
The production features traditional regional music and dances from across Mexico, including a song sung in Nahuatl — an ancient language still spoken today — that honors ancestors at the altar. “There are many songs from all around Mexico,” Sleme said. “Some lyrics were changed for the show, and some are original.”
Sleme, who began her career in Cozumel, México, and has appeared in film and theater across the U.S., said the cast and creators are deeply connected to the traditions they portray. “Most of the cast and creators of the show are Latino and we’re very involved in the traditions. We even made our own altar for while we’re on tour.”
While the show celebrates Latino culture, the themes resonate universally. “We’ve all experienced loss in some way,” Sleme said. She sees children of all backgrounds connect with the message, excited to create their own altars at home to celebrate lost family members. “We make it fun, so they can see that there is joy, even after loss and that our loved ones are still with us in many ways, and we can honor that,” she said.
The show incorporates interactive moments, thunderous sound effects and dazzling lights, so families should be ready for a loud and lively experience. “I love hearing the kids roaring and chanting along,” Sleme said. “It fills us with energy. It’s so beautiful to see how proud they are to see their traditions on the stage.”
Tickets start at $10 and are available at DMPA.org. The Civic Center will host a free Discovery Party one hour before the performance, featuring art-making activities, demonstrations, music and other experiences related to Día de Muertos. This event is organized by the Civic Center and will not include the show’s cast.
Whether you’re new to Día de Muertos or grew up with pan de muerto and marigolds, “Sugar Skull!” offers a fun celebration of life, memory and culture with lots of surprises along the way!
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