Originally Published by Rachel Migone, Community Theater in MoCo Creator
June 8, 2026
Show: June 5-14 at Cultural Arts Center of Montgomery College
Get 10% of tickets with code: CTIMC.
Five individual panels featuring images of fireworks, the Statue of Liberty, “We the People” surrounded by a circle of hands, the Liberty Bell, and the Scales of Justice serve as the backdrop for a show that explores the many facets of what it means to be an American. Eighteen singers dressed in red, white, and blue open the show with “I Lift My Lamp.” With 16 songs in Act I and 14 songs in Act II, the pace is brisk and the spotlight never fades for long. The talented musicians keep pace throughout, and the transitions between songs are smooth and seamless for the audience.
Advertisement
While many of the musical selections are solos and duets, the production is at its strongest during the full-company numbers. The ensemble sound brings energy and emotion to the stage, creating some of the most memorable moments. Director Brett Jordan wants the audience to experience all sides of America—the hope for opportunity, the obstacles that must be overcome through perseverance and grit, and the belief that America can offer the chance to achieve your dreams, even when the journey is not easy. Each song is expertly curated from musicals spanning different eras of American musical theater. The first act focuses on the hopes and dreams people have for America. Whether they came here seeking a better life or grew up facing difficult circumstances, they believe that determination and opportunity can help make their dreams come true.
Songs from 1776, Little Shop of Horrors, and Ragtime draw the audience into feelings of hope and inspiration. Unexpected choices such as “There Are No Cats in America” bring laughter to the audience while smoothly transitioning the show from themes of hope and dreams to the realization that personal sacrifice and social adaptation are often necessary steps toward achieving those goals. Act I concludes with the perennial favorite “America” from West Side Story.
Act II opens by exposing the often-harsh realities of prejudice, racism, and misogyny that people experience. The opening number from Dolly Parton’s 9 to 5 features a fresh rearrangement that highlights the entire company. Lighthearted and funny on the surface, the song also underscores the reality that workplace discrimination continues to exist. From there, the director guides the audience through both the strengths and challenges of American life.
Advertisement
The selections range across the musical theater canon, from “Bui Doi” in Miss Saigon to “You Can’t Stop the Beat” from Hairspray. After the bows, the audience is invited to join the cast in a rendition of “America the Beautiful.” Don’t worry—the lyrics are printed in the program if it has been a while since you last sang it.
American Dream Deferred is more than a collection of patriotic songs. The revue explores what America means to different people while acknowledging both the opportunities and challenges that shape the American experience. By the final song, the message is not that America is perfect, but that people continue to work toward the ideals the country promises.
In a time that often feels divided and uncertain, that message feels especially relevant.