The Musical

November 8, 9 & 10, 2002
Directed by Steve Gorman

John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin fight, argue, and compromise with their Continental Congress colleagues, to bring about the ratification of the Declaration of Independence and birth of the United States of America. Facing the challenges of creating a nation in the face of what Franklin suggests are almost insurmountable odds, dealing with slavery, states' rights, financial uncertainty, and an army in retreat, Adams, Jefferson, and Franklin work their miracle and re-make world history.

1776 vividly puts a human face on the pages of history as the musical shows the men behind the national icons: proud, frightened, uncertain, irritable, charming, often petty, and ultimately noble figures determined to do the right thing for a fledgling nation. It is suspenseful, funny, and marvelously exciting - you know the outcome and yet there are constant surprises along the way. 1776 is based on the book by Peter Stone, with music by Sherman Edwards and lyrics by Sherman Edward. In 1969, the original 1776 won the Tony award for Best Musical and in 1998 was nominated for best Revival.

THE CAST

President.....John Hancock.......Bob Hamilton
New Hampshire.....Dr. Josiah Bartlett.....John Trinkle
Massachusetts.....John Adams.....Steve Gorman
Rhode Island.....Stephen Hopkins.....Steve Brewer
Connecticut.....Roger Sherman.....Josh Speckman
New York.....Robert Livingston.....David Denny
New Jersey.....Rev. Jonathan Witherspoon.....Dale Hottle
Pennsylvania.....Benjamin Franklin.....Robin Smedley
Pennsylvania.....John Dickinson.....Daniel Main
Pennsylvania.....James Wilson.....Shayne Spurgeon
Delaware.....Caeser Rodney.....Doug McKinley
Virginia.....Thomas Jefferson/Richard Henry Lee.....Zachary Bundy
North Carolina.....Joseph Hewes.....Tom Hayes
South Carolina.....Edward Rutledge.....Pat Wrye
Georgia.....Dr. Lyman Hall.....Dennie Snelling
Secretary.....Charles Thomson.....Ed Caum
Custodian.....Andrew McNair.....Evan Feree
Abigail Adams.....Sharon Wiatt
Martha Jefferson.....Charity Graef
Courier.....Evan Gorman