A virtual concert featuring the songs and story of Americano! The Musical is scheduled for 9 p.m. (CDT) Friday, April 24 and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Phoenix Theatre Company.

The concert, according to a press release, comes at a time when nonprofits and performing arts groups need help.

Americano! The Musical, which set all-time box-office records during a four-week run Jan. 29-Feb. 23, and “emotionally connected with nearly 10,000 fans through its original musical and true story” of a dreamer and singer/songwriter, Carrie Rodriguez, the release said.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic forced the closure of The Phoenix Theatre Company for the first time in its 100-year history, nonprofits, musicians and performing arts organizations need support now more than ever.

“The Songs & Story of Americano!” will allow fans across the country to experience some of the musical’s inspiring original songs from its composer Carrie Rodriguez, an acclaimed singer/songwriter from Austin, Texas who composed original songs for the musical.

The story is based on  Antonio Valdovinos, a Dreamer from Arizona whose true-life story inspired Americano!

Michael Barnard, who directed and co-wrote the musical, will also talk about how Tony’s story and Carrie’s music came to be, the release noted.

Ms. Rodriguez, the release details, “finds beauty in the cross-pollination of diverse traditions,” and as a passionate performer, she uses her fiddle playing and vocals for a fresh interpretation of new and classic songs.

She has performed on stages across North America and Europe for the last decade; see: carrierodriguez.com.

The narrative that involves learning of an undocumented immigration status on an 18th birthday and trying tried to enlist in the U.S. Marines, Americano! chronicles a journey that includes community service, becoming an entrepreneur and the owner of a grassroots mobilization firm La Machine Political Consulting.

The future of Dreamers, the release noted, is in the hands of the U.S. Supreme Court and the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. The Supreme Court is expected to decide the fate of the DACA program in June.

Americano! is described as a centerpiece of The Phoenix Theatre Company’s 100th anniversary season, according to the release, adding that the company is where Steven Spielberg debuted his first films as a teenager.

Songs from the musical were arranged by Sergio Mendoza, a Latin music pioneer and founder of Orkestra Mendoza, who is also a member of the Grammy nominated band Calexico, noted the release.

Tony Award-winning producer Ken Davenport, who has produced 20 Broadway shows, is Americano!’s executive producer. He won Tony Awards for “Kinky Boots” and “Once on This Island.”

Tickets are $5 for the one-hour performance. Check out a special Facebook page for the concert. Online donations will be available for those who want to contribute more after the performance.

For more information on the production: AmericanoTheMusical.com.