Equal parts heartwarming and inspiring, Americano! is a musical true story that is hitting the stage at Phoenix Theatre Company through Feb. 23, 2020. Audiences will follow Tony, a child of immigrants who discovers his undocumented status when he tries to enlist in the Marines. With his lifelong dream of serving in the military vanishing quickly, Tony must change course.
Behind this production is a well-known name in Paradise Valley, who was an unlikely candidate in creating what promises to be a theatrical success.
Jason Rose is president of Rose+Moser+Allyn Public & Online Relations, and is known as Arizona's PR Heavyweight. He has worked on an array of notable events throughout the Valley, such as the Bentley Scottsdale Polo Championships.
"I have always had a few creative genes, but this might be the most outside-the-box yet because of a chance encounter with Producing Artistic Director of Phoenix Theatre Company Michael Barnard."
Americano! didn’t start out telling the compelling story of Tony Valdovinos. Instead, it's been an evolution, from presenting the topic to a local band, to discussing the many facets of immigration, to ultimately landing on this timely subject matter.
"One of the relatable morals to this story is to never give up. Tony went on to serve the only country he has ever known in other, powerful ways, even if it wasn't his originally intended path."
Rose was fortunate to have an incredibly talented team behind the project that mirrored his focus—to make Americano! impactful, authentic and entertaining.
"Americano! is an extraordinary work of art, and our team is hopeful that audiences will agree it is among the best theatrical productions ever produced locally."
Rose reveals that music was a crucial part of this story, and they have created a concept album that will be released prior to the Phoenix run via a distribution deal with Time Life Warner. In combination, choosing the right actors for the musical has been a key focus.
Seeing Tony, the inspiration behind the story, has been emotional for Rose, "Watching Tony at the various table reads is inspiring. Imagine someone calling you cold one day to do a musical about your life, and several years later, there is an entire show about you!"
Starting this journey in Rose's hometown of Paradise Valley has been special, and he lauds the importance of the inaugural run of Americano! being set in Phoenix, "This is an original work based off the story of a Phoenix resident and has been developed with The Phoenix Theatre Company, promising to be one of their most ambitious projects."
Americano! billboards are already present in Times Square, and Rose is optimistic about Broadway, "We know Americano! is something different, exciting and worthy of exporting from Phoenix."
