SUEÑOS: Our American Musical
Synopsis:
In the summer of 1999, the Viramontes family leaves behind their life in Los Angeles for the agricultural town of Watsonville, California, chasing a dream of new beginnings. At the heart of the story is Ali Viramontes, a gifted young violinist and composer whose sights are set on Juilliard. But as the family struggles with financial hardship and personal tensions, Ali finds himself in a town with no orchestra and a dream that seems more distant than ever.
Ali’s sister, Desiree, sharp-witted and strong-willed, grapples with the move in her own way, while their parents, Lupe and Alex, try to hold their family together under the weight of unspoken sacrifices. Determined not to let his ambitions slip away, Ali embarks on a daring plan—secretly joining a community college orchestra and making a risky journey to San Francisco for his audition.
Along the way, Ali clashes with his father, whose painful past with music casts a long shadow over their relationship. As he fights for his place in the world, Ali discovers that his journey is about more than just making it to Juilliard—it’s about finding his voice, embracing his heritage, and redefining what success truly means.
With a vibrant original score blending mariachi, orchestral music, and contemporary musical theater, SUEÑOS: Our American Musical is a powerful coming-of-age story that celebrates Chicanismo, family, resilience, breaking generational cycles, and the pursuit of dreams against all odds.
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Conceived by: Jesse J. Sanchez
Book, Music & Lyrics: Jesse J. Sanchez
Orchestrations: Jeff Chambers
Additional Orchestrations: Jesse J. Sanchez
Additional Music: Jeff Chambers -
2025 Las Positas College Developmental Workshop Production
2024 Musical Theatre West New Works Festival 29 Hour AEA Reading and Invite Presentation
2024 The Orchard Project Development Residency
2023 Johnny Mercer Foundation Writers Colony at Goodspeed Musicals Development Residency
2022 Barn On Fire Musical Residency Development Residency
2021 National Alliance for Musical Theatre Frank Young Development Grant
2020 New York Theatre Barn Choreography Lab
2020 Arizona Theatre CompanyDevelopment^^
2019New York Theatre Barn New Works Series
2019 Green Room 42 New Works Series Concert
2018 Oregon Shakespeare Festival Black Swan Lab Development Reading
2017 A.R.T/New York Table Reading
^^Postponed due to Covid 19
**SUEÑOS was a finalist for 2022 Live & In Color Fall Retreat, 2021 & 2022 NAMT Conference, & 2022 Phoenix Theater's Festival of New American Thesatre. SUEÑOS was a semifinalist for the 2019 & 2020 O’Neill Conference, 2020 NAMT Conference, and 2019 Bay Area Playwrights Festival**
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2024 Musical Theatre West New Works Festival Winner
2023 Johnny Mercer Writers Grove Invitation @ Goodspeed Musicals
2022 Barn On Fire New Musical Development Selection
2021 NAMT Frank Young Development Grant
2021& 2022 NAMT Festival Jukebox, “Other Shows You Should Know”
“SUEÑOS: Our American Musical had all the makings and promise of an entertaining and relevant full-stage musical.”








