1776
The 1969 musical, 1776, a rending-down of the events, over a period of six weeks, during which Thomas Jefferson’s Declaration of Independence was written, voted on and promulgated, was expertly written by Peter Stone, with music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards. Under the extraordinary guidance of director Nick DeGruccio and the professionalism of Matthew Smeda’s musical direction, this gorgeous re-creation of the 41-year-old musical almost matches the original’s, which this critic was fortunate enough to see just after opening.
On a utilitarian set (uncredited), twenty-six actors, beautifully costumed and be-wigged (by Yolanda Rowell, costume coordinator, and Cliff Senior, wig designer), strut their majestic selves, re-creating the first of many important political acts in this country’s history. John Adams of Massachusetts (Steven Glaudini), Dr. Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania (Steve Vinovich), Thomas Jefferson of Virginia (John Bisom), Richard Henry Lee, also of Virginia (Davis Gaines), the President of the Congress, John Hancock, also of Massachusetts (Tom Shelton), and a gaggle of other important men from the British Colonies of America, gathered together to find a legal and moral justification for the totally treasonous act of breaking-away from Mother England, its tyrannical King, George III, and his arrogant Prime Minister, Lord North.
Amazingly, even thought most Americans know the outcome (we won), this musical creates enormous suspense on what will eventually happen. New York’s colonial legislature kept dithering on whether or not to agree to the succession, South Carolina and Georgia adamantly refused to join a United States of America if slavery were in any way abandoned, and several of the delegates were obstinately pro-Tory, leaving it up in the air if, indeed, we would ever become our own nation: a fascinating mess that hot and humid summer of ’76. That the end result has lasted us 234 years is a miracle – in spite of almost floundering four times in the next 20 years, and this musical is a small, creative and entertaining way to be educated.
The casting consists of eleven Equity actors and a larger number of talented non-union actors. The show is gorgeously sung by all, including the famous wives of John Adams (his brilliant Abigail), Tami Tappan Damiano, and Tom Jefferson’s love (Martha), Jessica Bernard. All the leads are in fine voice, although the need to amplify them in this comfortable Carpenter Center makes it sometimes difficult to tell who is singing what in the larger cast settings.
Other actors who shine with important songs are Gaines as Lee, in his rousing “The Lees of Old Virginia,” Robert J. Townsend as a racist delegate from South Carolina, Edward Rutledge, and Michael Kean’s letter-courier who has watched too much dying on the battlefield.
This is a sumptuous production, not to be missed by musical aficionados. And it’s an agreeable way for Americans to learn the facts, rather than the myths, behind American democracy.
Through July 25th, 2010, at the Carpenter Center for the Arts, 6200 Atherton Street, Long Beach, CA 90815 (near Palo Verde, on the CSULB campus).
For tickets: 562.985.7000 or cpac@carpenterarts.org.