Americano The Musical

10/12/2023

Tony Valdovinos, whose life story is the basis for Americano The Musical shares his fears and concerns as DACA remains in limbo.
The article was written by one of Americano's co-authors, Fernanda Santos.

Tony Valdovinos was brought to the U.S. at the age of 2. The challenges of not having citizenship haven’t stopped his success.

06/16/2023

What a moment last year. What a moment this week!

President Barack Obama is pictured with DACA recipients at the Off Broadway run of Americano! in New York City last year. Let us continue to empower, support and fight for those that DACA benefits.

On the 11th anniversary of DACA, I wanted to share the powerful stories of Tony, Jessica, Devashish, Josue, and Sumbul –– five DACA recipients I met last year who talked to me about the impact that DACA had on their lives:

Jessica Astudillo was born in Ecuador and grew up in New York. She works as a pediatric resident physician at NYU Langone Health, and took care of pediatric patients during the pandemic.

Josue de Paz was born in Mexico and grew up in California. He was one of our Obama Foundation Scholars at Columbia University, and now runs a nonprofit that works to empower and support low-income high school students.

Devashish Basnet was born in Nepal. He graduated from Hunter College and is now a Rhodes Scholar studying refugee and migration patterns.

Sumbul Siddiqui was born in Saudi Arabia and grew up in Georgia. She didn’t even know she was undocumented until she reached her senior year of high school. Today marks her first day working as a family medicine resident physician at the University of Chicago.

Then there’s Tony Valdovinos. Tony was born in Mexico and grew up in Arizona. He found out he was undocumented after trying to enlist in the U.S. Marine Corps at 18. He went on to become the first undocumented person to work at Phoenix City Hall, and now runs a firm that helps mobilize voters in marginalized communities.

These powerful stories illustrate the promise of DACA recipients and how important it is to protect them. We are a better nation—a stronger nation—because they’re here. Let’s continue to organize and push Congress to build an immigration system that offers these Americans a permanent pathway to citizenship.

03/10/2023

Progress! Punctuated by Congressman Gallego and our own Tony Valdovinos in this great article that may mean more dignity for Dreamers

The Democrats' bills would extend eligibility to DACA recipients to join the military and work in Congress, but they need Republican support.

02/10/2023

The ¡Americano! team quickly became family during the many hours spent together rehearsing and performing. One of our family members Legna Cedillo, our lead female actress, and her family have found themselves in need of financial support to pay for her mother’s medical bills and necessary travel expenses. Keep Legna and her family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult and stressful time. Please click the link to learn more and if you are able, donate to help offset their costs. Once family. Always family.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-our-mom-fight-cancer-and-get-to-mexico

11/15/2022

Well done Arizona and thank you! With nearly all the votes counted Proposition 308 won, giving DREAMers in Arizona the opportunity to attend college by allowing them to pay in-state tuition at colleges and universities just like their classmates. This plight was at the heart of our musical and the story of Antonio Valdovinos. There is more work to be done for Dreamers and on our musical but for now let’s celebrate this tide of history.

11/15/2022

What a night! Thank you to the Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors, founded in 1975 to gain more representation on the biggest stages, for awarding us Best Production and Best Cast in New York City last night. A tribute to all who have propelled this passion project, with more chapters still to write.

11/01/2022

We are very proud of our cast and crew. The Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors will be honoring Americano the Musical with HOLA Awards to Gilberto Zaldivar for Outstanding Production and Sean Ewing, Legna Cedillo, Yassmin Alers, Johanna Carlisle-Zepeda, Joseph Paul Cavazos, Juan Luis Espinal, Justin Figueroa, Ruben Flores, Megan Elyse Fulmer, Henry Gendron, Anne-Lise Koyabe, Alessandro J. Lopez, Edgar Lopez, Carolina Miranda, Alex Paez, Ryan Reyes, Lannie Rubio, Nicole Paloma Sarro, Robbie Serrano, Maria Cristina Posada Slye, Pablo Torres for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Cast.

The Hispanic Organization of Latin Actors has announced the 21st. Annual HOLA Awards Gala Benefit which honors top Latino and Hispanic talents who have shown excellence in film, television, and theatre.

06/20/2022

Last night was truly so memorable! 🤩 Thank you to everyone who came to support this special run. It has been an absolute pleasure to get to share this important story with all of you ❤️

📷:

06/16/2022

We are honored to bow for Latinos & immigrants every single night! You have 3 DAYS to see New World Stages! Do Not Miss It!

📷: Maria Baranova

06/15/2022

In honor of DACA's 10th anniversary, Barack Obama sat down with five Dreamers, including our own Tony Valdovinos to discuss the impact of DACA and how these Dreamers are impacting the world today.

📷: ObamaFoundation

06/15/2022

It was an extraordinary honor to welcome President Barack Obama to the stage to reflect on the 10th Anniversary of DACA! Thank you to the ObamaFoundation for making this possible and to Tony Valdovinos for telling his story and igniting change!

President Obama likened Dreamers’ stories to that of his own daughters, noting they “were as American as Malia or as Sasha were in terms of their values, their upbringing, their experiences. They loved this country deeply, and yet because of a piece of paper their lives were extraordinarily vulnerable.”

📷: Obama Foundation

06/15/2022

Thank you to NY1 Noticias for helping us highlight National Immigrant Heritage Month & the rich cultures that make up the Americano Dream!

¡AMERICANO! dio concierto por Mes de la Herencia Inmigrante.