By Brett Jordan, director
Artwork has all the time been political. From the canvas to the stage, from motion to melody, the humanities give voice to our deepest hopes, our sharpest anger, and our most tender loves. However of all creative kinds, music would be the strongest — crossing generations, borders, and languages to unite us and problem us in equal measure. Musical theater carries this custom with specific pleasure. From The Sound of Music to Hamilton, musicals have lengthy been the place historical past will get private and protest turns into a showstopper.
As we have a good time the 250th anniversary of the founding of america, I’m directing for Bethesda Little Theatre a musical revue centered on the distinctive function of musical theater in defining American goals and their disconnect from American actuality. American Dream Deferred explores themes of goals and aspirations, battle and heartbreak, protest, progress, and hope.
What’s the American Dream? Why does it stay out of attain for therefore many? What can we do about it? The solutions to those questions and extra lie in songs from reveals like Ragtime, Within the Heights, Allegiance, Miss Saigon, and Suffs. They carry forth uniquely American tales with uniquely American messages of pleasure, frustration, and, in the end, hope for a future the place we’re all capable of dwell our goals.
A proficient, various forged of 18 native singers and dancers takes on Broadway hits, conventional classics, and well-liked protest anthems. You’ll depart impressed and invigorated, not solely to navigate the darkest instances in our nation however to proceed the battle for fairness and justice — for all.
The American Dream continues to be value preventing for. Come and listen to why.
American Dream Deferred performs the primary two weekends in June — June 5, 6, 12, and 13, 2026, at 8 pm and June 7 and 14 at 2:30 pm — introduced by Bethesda Little Theatre acting at Montgomery School Cultural Arts Heart Theater 2, 7995 Georgia Ave, Silver Spring, MD. Buy tickets ($28, grownup; $22, scholar, senior, navy; $18, kids 12 and beneath) on-line.
