1776 (musical)

1776 (musical)
source
Name	1776
Music	Sherman Edwards
Lyrics	Sherman Edwards
Book	Peter Stone
Basis	Concept by Sherman Edwards
Productions	1969 Broadway
Awards	Tony Award for Best Musical

1776 (musical). A musical with music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and a book by Peter Stone, *1776* is a dramatization of the events surrounding the drafting and adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Premiering on Broadway in 1969, the show focuses on the efforts of John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson to persuade the Second Continental Congress to vote for American independence from Great Britain. It is notable for its blend of historical fact, political debate, and theatrical entertainment, winning several major awards including the Tony Award for Best Musical.

Background and creation

The concept for the musical originated with Sherman Edwards, a former history teacher and songwriter who had penned hits for artists like Elvis Presley. Edwards spent nearly a decade developing the idea, aiming to humanize the iconic Founding Fathers and depict the political machinations of the Continental Congress. Producer Stuart Ostrow recognized the project's potential and brought in librettist Peter Stone, known for his work on films like *Charade*, to craft the book. The creative team conducted extensive research using sources like the Adams Papers and the Journals of the Continental Congress to ensure historical authenticity, while acknowledging necessary dramatic license for pacing and character development.

Synopsis

Set in the sweltering summer of 1776 in Philadelphia, the musical dramatizes the final weeks of debate in the Second Continental Congress leading to the vote for independence. John Adams, frustrated by the body's inertia, collaborates with Benjamin Franklin and Richard Henry Lee to rally support. They persuade a reluctant Thomas Jefferson to draft the declaration, though his work is delayed by longing for his wife, Martha Jefferson. The Congress, representing all Thirteen Colonies, grapples with contentious issues like slavery, represented by the "Molasses to Rum" argument led by Edward Rutledge of South Carolina, and regional economic interests. The climax is the tense, roll-call vote on independence, which passes, leading to the signing of the Declaration.

Characters and original cast

The principal characters are historical delegates to the Continental Congress. The original 1969 Broadway cast featured William Daniels as the passionate and obnoxious John Adams, Howard Da Silva as the witty and pragmatic Benjamin Franklin, and Ken Howard as the introspective Thomas Jefferson. Ronald Holgate portrayed the flamboyant Richard Henry Lee, David Ford played the steadfast Congress President John Hancock, and Clifford David was the conservative Pennsylvania delegate John Dickinson. Paul Hecht originated the role of the eloquent Edward Rutledge, and Virginia Vestoff played Abigail Adams, who appears in epistolary duets with her husband.

Musical numbers

The score by Sherman Edwards blends period-style music with traditional Broadway show tunes. Notable songs include the opening argument "Sit Down, John," the wistful "Yours, Yours, Yours" between the Adamses, and the comedic "The Lees of Old Virginia." Jefferson's creative block is expressed in "He Plays the Violin," while the southern defense of slavery is powerfully delivered in "Molasses to Rum." Other key numbers are the contemplative "Is Anybody There?" sung by Adams, the charming "Till Then," and the celebratory finale following the vote. The orchestrations were by Eddie Sauter.

Productions and reception

*1776* premiered on March 16, 1969, at the 46th Street Theatre on Broadway, directed by Peter Hunt. It was a critical and commercial success, running for 1,217 performances. The production transferred to the St. James Theatre and later the Majestic Theatre. A successful West End production opened in 1970 at the New Theatre. A film adaptation was released in 1972, directed by Hunt and featuring much of the original Broadway cast. The musical has seen numerous major revivals, including a 1997 Broadway revival at the Roundabout's Criterion Center Stage Right and a 2022 revival by the American Repertory Theater and Roundabout Theatre Company that featured a multiracial, gender-conscious casting approach.

Awards and legacy

The original Broadway production won three Tony Awards in 1969, including the prestigious Tony Award for Best Musical, with Peter Stone winning for Best Book and Boris Aronson for Best Scenic Design. It also won the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Musical. The musical is celebrated for making historical debate compelling theatre and has become a staple of regional, community, and educational theatre. Its 2022 revival, staged prior to a transfer to the American Airlines Theatre, sparked discussions about historical representation and contemporary politics, underscoring the enduring relevance of its themes concerning the founding of the United States.

Category:American musicals Category:1969 musicals Category:Broadway musicals Category:Tony Award for Best Musical