SUEÑOS: Our American Musical

"Sometimes hot, sometimes humorous, always heartfelt and human, the engaging narrative - advanced by the vibrant characters and songs - was delivered by a top notch cast of thirteen..."

- DC METRO THEATER ARTS

CONCEPT EP CAST RECORDING

Book, Music & Lyrics:
Jesse J. Sanchez

Orchestrations & Additional Music:
Jeff Chambers

Additional Orchestrations & Music Supervision:
Jesse J. Sanchez

Music Director:
Bruce De La Cruz

Music Producer & Mixer:
Lloyd Kikoler

Recording Enginer:
Rocky Gallo

Orchestrations & Additional Music:
Jeff Chambers

OUT NOW! Released 10.13.23

About the Show

SUEÑOS tells the untold story of three generations of a Mexican-American family and their pursuit of the American Dream. The story primarily focuses on the viewpoint of protagonist, Ali Viramontes, and his journey to becoming a world renown composer. Juilliard is his one-way ticket and he won't let anything stop him, even if he has to sacrifice those close to him. Obstacles become too challenging to overcome and seems there's no other way, but to continue the cycle that tore down his family's dreams. This original, contemporary musical celebrates Latiné/Latinx people and cultures, and weaves their stories into the fabric of the American Musical Theatre.

Photo Credit: Michael Bonasio

The Journey So far...

June 2017:

A cast of local Bay Area actors do a first reading of Act 1 (without songs) at WVLO rehearsal hall in San Jose, CA.
Jeff Chambers comes onboard as collaborator.

November 2017:

The script has a second reading of Act 1 and 2 (with some songs) at Spaces 550 in NYC that included Broadway actors Eliseo Roman, Doreen Montalvo, Linedy Genao, and Marla Phelan.

January 2018:

The script has a first developmental reading of the entire script (with some songs) at THE COMPLEX in Hollywood, CA with a local cast of professional actors.

September 2018:

The script has a third reading (without songs) at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival's Black Swan Lab in Ashland, OR, moderated by Amrita Ramanan.
Jesse meets with Dramaturg, Linnea Valdivia

October 2018:

The script has a fourth reading (with all songs) at Shetler Studios in NYC that included Broadway actors Danny Bolero and Doreen Montalvo.
Jeff begins to orchestrate songs.

February 2019:

Sueños releases demo recordings on SoundCloud with Broadway stars Doreen Montalvo, Eliseo Roman, and Linedy Genao.

October 2019:

Songs of Sueños Concert at the Green Room 42 New Works Series in NYC, includes an All-Star Latiné cast and band that included Broadway actors Doreen Montalvo, Eliseo Roman, Linedy Genao, and Ernie Pruneda.
DC Theater Arts publishes a successful review of the Green Room 42 concert.

December 2019:

New York Theatre Barn invites Sueños to their New Works Series Presentation at the Daryl Roth Theatre in NYC.
Sueños website is launched. www.suenosmusical.com

February 2020:

Arizona Theatre Company announces Sueños in their 2020/2021 workshop series. **Postponed due to covid**

April 2020:

New York Theatre Barn invites Sueños to their New Works Series: Digital Edition, streaming on Broadway On Demand.
Sueños featured on Arizona Theatre Company's Hang & Focus.
Sueños NYTB presentation on Broadway on Demand, makes the Los Angeles Times "Qurarantine Pick of the Day"

October 2020:

Sueños invited to the New York Theatre Barn Choreography Lab (15 minute excerpt) with mentor choreographer, Maria Torres.

August 2021:

The script has a fifth reading (without songs) at 353 Studios in NYC.

October 2021:

Sueños receives a Frank Young Development Grant from NAMT for a one-week development residency with NYTB.
Sueños in top 20 of NAMT Festival.
Sueños invited to perform a song at Prospect Theater's Reignite Concert in NYC.
Sueños invited to perform a song at First Presbyterian Church in NYC. Grant from NYFA's City Artist Corp.

June 2022:

Sueños accepted into the Oregon Shakespeare Festival Green Show for a 45 minute concert reading.
Invited to the first annual, one-week Barn On Fire Residency of New Musicals on Fire Island, NY. Show mentor, Jerry Mitchell. Produced by Nicole La Fountaine, Steven Alan Black, FIPAP, and NYTB.

February 2023:

Sueños has been invited to be in residence at the 2023 Johnny Mercer Writers Grove @ Goodspeed Musicals.

April 2023:

Sueños is a finalist for Live & In Color

October 2023:

Sueños releases a concept EP album featuring Linedy Genao (Bad Cinderella), Robi Hagar (Spring Awakening), and more. Produced by Jim Kierstead, Kierstead Productions, Nicole La Fountaine, New York Theatre Barn, Jesse J. Sanchez, and funded partly by NAMT.

June 2024:

Sueños invited to be in residence at The Orchard Project in Saratoga Springs, NY.

The Links...

2024 Orchard Project Performance Labs and Artists Announced

The 16 projects and artistic teams come form a competitive group of more than 1,000 that applied to participate in this year's program. Theatrical works developed at OP have gone on to production at a wide variety of theaters. Recent productions include In The Green (LCT3), Frankenstein (Public Theatrr, Court Theatre), Amélie (Broadway), All The Way (OSF, Broadway), and more. Read more.

16 New Musicals in Development at Goodspeed Musicals' 11th Annual Johnny Mercer Foundation Writers Grove

Pulitzer-winning and 2022 Tony-winning musical A Strange Loop underwent development at the Grove. Previous projects that Goodspeed has moved from The JMF Writers Grove at Goodspeed to full production include the acclaimed 2019 productions of Passing Through, and Hi, My Name Is Ben, Deathless, Darling Grenadine, Indian Joe, and Chasing Rainbows. In 2023, Goodspeed will be further developing Private Gomer Jones by Marshall Pailet which also was included in Goodspeed’s 2020 Festival of New Musicals. . Read more.

Jerry Mitchell & More to Take Part In Barn On Fire Residency on Fire Island.

New York Theatre Barn and the Fire Island Pines Arts Project will partner to create Barn on Fire, a new summer residency on Fire Island for three musical theatre writing teams and their original culture shifting musicals in development with a final presentation to the public on Saturday, June 25th, 2022 at 6pm EST. Tony Award-winning director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell will serve as a mentor to the writing team of new musical, SUEÑOS. Read more.

SUEÑOS: Receives NAMT Frank Young Development Grant

SUEÑOS received the NAMT Frank Young Development Grant for a full weeklong development produced in association with New York Theatre Barn, Nicole La Fountaine (Straighten Your Crown Productions), Jim Kierstead (Kierstead Productions, Broadway United), Kyle Beckley (Full Out Creative), and Maria Torres Productions . Read more.

SUEÑOS featured on musicaltheatreradio.com!

"They Will See" from SUEÑOS will be featured on "In Between The Lines", a new radio show by contemporarymusicaltheatre.com on October 16, 2021 at 10am EST. Read more.

SUEÑOS receives Frank Young Development Grant from National Alliance for Musical Theatre (NAMT)

SUEÑOS will use the grant in a two part development residency with the New York Theatre Barn funded by New York Theatre Barn and NAMT. Director/Choreographer Maria Torres will direct. Development residency will be from October 4-9, 2021. Read more.

Broadway Refocused Podcast

Creator of SUEÑOS, Jesse J. Sanchez, talks with Spencer Williams about the creation and journey he's been on with his script and score of SUEÑOS. Premieres on February 17, 2021. Listen.

Los Angeles Times Picks SUEÑOS Live Stream Concert

SUEÑOS was picked by the Los Angeles Times for top streams on April 16, 2020. Read more.

Arizona Theatre Company 'In-Depth' Interview

Arizona Theatre Company Artistic Director, Sean Daniels, talks to Jesse Sanchez about the development of SUEÑOS.

Arizona Theatre Company 2020-2021

SUEÑOS has been selected to the new musical theatre workshop series at the Arizona Theatre Company in their 2020-2021 season. Three musicals were selected including works by Lauren Gunderson and Chris D'Arienzo. Read more.

New York Theatre Barn @ Daryl Roth Theatre

Following a successful, sold-out concert at The Green Room 42 NYC, SUEÑOS will be part of the New York Theatre Barn New Works Series. Read more.

Green Room 42 in New York City

SUEÑOS will be performing a concert version at Broadway's new cabaret club! Read more.

Oregon Shakespeare Festival Black Swan Lab

SUEÑOS has been invited to the Black Swan Lab. Candidates for the Lab include playwrights with OSF commissions and previous productions as well as artists with whom OSF wishes to cultivate future relationships. Read more.

"SUEÑOS: Our American Musical had all the makings and promise of an entertaining and relevant full-stage musical."