They say history often repeats itself. For director Gus Gordon, who has performed in or directed 1776 a half-dozen times, in this case, it’s about bringing back the perfect show to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence’s signing.
“I’m old enough to remember our nation’s bicentennial and how emotional and exciting that time was for our country,” he said. “In this era of overwhelming political division, I think it is very appropriate to remember the incredible adversity our ancestors overcame to create our new country.”
With music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and a book by Peter Stone, the Tony-Award-winning 1776 recreates the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the intense drama of the Second Continental Congress leading up to that critical action.
“I believe 1776 has one of the best books of any musical ever written.” Gordon said. “We already know the story’s outcome, but each time I see it, I’m still on the edge of my seat watching our history play out.” He added, “I fell in love with the movie when I first saw it in a high school history class. Seeing these characters come to life as portrayed by amazing performers touched me in a way no textbook ever could.”
In the case of the current Hoogland Center for the Arts production, strong performances and eloquent staging are sure to achieve a similar outcome. I attended an early tech rehearsal while some of the details were still being ironed out but the characters and staging were there.
More than 20 actors portray the members of Congress and staff who occupied the chamber that blistering summer 250 years ago in Philadelphia. Against the backdrop of a magnificent set designed by Paul Presney, Jr., the men debate, quarrel, insult one another and sing. While there are some long stretches between numbers, the vocals are top-notch, often resulting in rousing harmonies that rise to the rafters or a moving number that lands like rain.
Everyone in this ensemble is capable in their own way and contributes to painting an accurate portrait of these flawed men and at least two of the women who held influence in their lives. Our nation’s founding was bigger than any one person, and this show is bigger than any one performance, but there are some notables.
Much like how John Adams himself carried the weight of this historic effort, Josh Ratz carries much of the weight of the show as the fervent and often-disliked Adams. Fast-paced, passionate delivery and vocal chops are required and Ratz delivers. As Adams’ most pronounced antagonist, John Dickinson (Patrick Foster) oozes a haughty disagreeableness while Ben Franklin (Rich McCoy) relishes in countering the men’s angst with his clever wit. Matt Ratz as Thomas Jefferson, the frustrated and reluctant author of the Declaration, also excels. And while I did not get to see Greg Runyard as South Carolina’s Edward Rutledge perform the climactic “Molasses and Rum,” I have no doubt this moment succeeds as a haunting and profound one.
Softening the edges of the escalating tensions in Congress, two women whose primary function is to support and advise their husbands are also featured. Thomas Jefferson’s wife, Martha (Alyssa Schultz), is summoned by Franklin to help cure Jefferson of his writer’s block and Adam’s wife, Abigail (Aasne Vigesaa), is a steady voice of reason, communicating through letters while holding down the fort at home.
One of the reasons the libretto for 1776 is so beloved by historians and theater nerds alike is that it draws heavily from actual writings of the Continental Congress at the time, as well as several letters between John and Abigail. A fair amount of dialogue is verbatim.
Costumes by Cindy Wall and hair/wigs by Adam Frank and Missy Bradstreet are exceptional. Stylish choreography by Adam Miller (who also plays an amusing Richard Henry Lee), music direction by Mark Gifford, lights by Kevin Zepp and sound by Duane Fant were all on their way to putting the final touches on the production.
The show is a long one – clocking in at about 2 hours and 45 minutes with the bulk of it occurring in the first act. For Gordon though, his motivation is clear: “My hope is that this production will bring people together and remind the audience that even when we strongly disagree with one another, we can still work together to accomplish something meaningful.”
1776 runs Wednesday, July 1; Thursday, July 2; and Friday, July 3; at 7:30 p.m., Saturday, July 4, at 2 p.m. and Sunday, July 5, at 2 p.m. Tickets are $23 for adults and $21 for seniors and students.
To read a transcription of the Declaration of Independence, visit: www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration-transcript
Nice!