**** Recommended 1776 is one of my least favorite musicals, so I wasn’t looking forward to seeing this musical about the founding fathers again. However, I did like the Marriott Theatre production which is so timely in light of these stressful times. Marriott’s in-the-round staging brought everything closer to the audience making viewers feel more involved. Their non-traditional casting (black actors and female actors – both of whom would have been excluded in 1776) was also spot on. If you’re interested in history, you’ll enjoy 1776, especially the solemn role call as they sign the Declaration of Independence. 4 Spotlights
When the delegates from the original thirteen colonies met in Philadelphia at the Continental Congress, there were a lot of larger than life personalities in the room. A few were loyal to the British King while others were demanding war. Representatives from the southern colonies were suspicious of those from the northern colonies.
The meetings, held in a taproom, are chaired by the President of Congress, John Hancock (Joel Gelman). It was really, really hot in the room, but if they ordered Andrew McNair (Karl Hamilton) to open the windows to let in a phantom breeze, they were plagued with flies. Whenever another of General George Washington’s frequent and ever more depressing letters about the progress of the war arrived by Courier (Jay Westbrook), it was read aloud by Congressional Secretary Charles Thomson (Gabrielle Lott-Rogers).
John Adams (Tyrick Wiltez Jones) is impatient. He wants the rest of the delegates to the Continental Congress to get off their collective duffs and declare independence. Opening song, Sit Down, John, reflects the other delegates opinion of his impatience.
Abigail Adams (Katherine Alexis Thomas), stuck at home trying to keep everything going without her husband, is getting frustrated. Standing apart but singing together, John and Abigail exchange letters in Till Then.
Ben Franklin (Richard R. Henry) seems to spend most of his time dozing or encouraging Adams to be patient. He realizes that without a Southern state they’ll never get a union, so he convinces Richard Henry Lee (Lucy Godinez) to go home to Virginia and persuade the legislature to get a resolution passed.
When Lee tells Thomas Jefferson (Erik Hellman), who was planning to go home himself, that he has to stay on as the Virginia delegate, he balks. Then Adams and Franklin convince him that they need him to write a declaration of independence. As a surprise/encouragement for Jefferson, Adams brings his wife, Martha (Alicia Kaori), to Philadelphia.
The loudest opponents of independence were John Dickenson (Heidi Kettenring) of Pennsylvania and Edward Rutledge (Matthew Hommel) of South Carolina. Since North Carolina’s Joseph Hewes (Alicia Kaori) always deferred to his compatriot from South Carolina, that state was also an opponent.
After debating Jefferson’s document for days, they ultimately called a vote, with the proviso that every colony had to vote yes. After twelve colonies voted yes, it came down to the delegate from Pennsylvania, James Wilson (Teddy Gales), who in his desire to be anonymous always deferred to Franklin and Dickinson. When Wilson voted yes, Dickinson left proclaiming his loyalty to the King.
I’ve already mentioned the delegates from Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina elsewhere in this review. The delegates from the other eight colonies are: Rhode Island, Stephen Hopkins (Mary Robin Roth); Connecticut, Roger Sherman (Michael Earvin Martin); New York, Robert Livingston (Austin Nelson Jr.) and Lewis Morris (Patrick Byrnes); Delaware, Col. Thomas McKean (Lillian Castillo), George Read (Dan Gold) and Caesar Rodney (Nancy Voights); Georgia, Dr. Lyman Hall (Jesse bhamrah); Maryland, Samuel Chase (Danielle Davis), New Hampshire, Dr. Josiah Bartlett (Neala Barron); and New Jersey, Rev. John Witherspoon (Ed Kross).
The wonderful Marriott Orchestra includes Brad Haak (Conductor/Keyboard), Carmen Kassinger (Violin), David Orlicz (Flute/Piccolo/Oboe/Clarinet), Eva Butcher (Bassoon/Clarinet/Bass Clarinet), Hardin Butcher (Lead Trumpet/Piccolo Trumpet), Sharon Jones (French Horn), Trevor Jones (Bas/Orchestra Contractor) and Andy Wilmoth (Drums).
1776 runs through October 13th at Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriot Drive, Lincolnshire. Parking is free; valet parking is also available. Running time is two hours, 40 minutes with an intermission. Performances are Wednesdays at 1:00 & 7:30 pm; Thursdays at 7:30 pm; Fridays at 8:00 pm; Saturdays at 4:00 and 8:00 pm; Sundays at 1:00 and 5:00 pm with select Thursday 1:00 pm matinees. There are a limited number of dinner-theatre packages available on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Tickets start at $60 (excluding tax & handling fees). FYI (847) 634-0200, www.ticketmaster.com or www.marriotttheatre.com.