Preview to aid Puerto Rico

A performance of “In the Heights” — the 2005 musical set in an Hispanic neighborhood in Manhattan, featuring music and lyrics by “Hamilton” creator Lin-manuel Miranda — will benefit Puerto

Rico in a special paywhat-you-will preview by Schenectady Light Opera.

The fundraiser, slated for 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, is “an opportunity to do something positive for the community — you know, the global community,” said Peter Caracappa, director of SLOC’S production of the musical, which runs Sept. 21-23 and 27-30.

Added Michael Camelo, SLOC president and a member of the cast, in an email: “A year ago Hurricane Maria caused devastation to Puerto Rico, and people are still displaced, without power, or left with nothing. A community that is so prominently represented in the show is suffering, and we wanted to help out in any way we could.”

Featuring choreography by Gregory Theodore Marsh and a cast that includes singer-songwriter Taina Asili and rapper Jonathan Lajas, “In the Heights” was written by Quiara Alegría Hudes — who, like Miranda, is of Puerto Rican descent. Its 2008 Broadway production scored Tony awards for best musical and original score.

When Schenectady Light Opera decided to produce the play, Camelo said, “We knew we wanted to portray not only a story filled with Hispanic pride, but one that spoke about home, love and community.”

According to Caracappa, positive response to news of “In the Heights” at SLOC prompted the decision to turn the preview into a fundraiser. “There seemed to be enthusiasm for the production — and so we thought that we could open it up a little bit, sort of invite people in ... Every dollar of admission donation is going right to Puerto Rican relief funds,” he said.

The money generated by the SLOC preview will go toward the Hispanic Federation’s UNIDOS campaign supporting Puerto Rican disaster relief. Miranda’s father, Luis, is founding president of the Federation.

“No one should go through such devastation, but natural disasters happen, and when things like this happen, this is when neighbors come together, family step up and people help people,” Camelo said. “We are just a group of people trying to help, in any small way we can.”

For more information on the SLOC production and the benefit performance, see sloctheater.org or call 1-877-350-7378.