“1776”

Under the clever direction of Nick Bowling, who has done many great shows on this in-the-round-theatre, all sides get to witness the story as it unfolds. While we know that the incidents are not specific, we can feel comfortable that this is how it could have gone down and with this amazing cast of players, under Bowling’s direction, this show truly works. The choreography ( Tanji Harper ), while somewhat limited due to the nature of the story  and the stage layout, is effective and works. When this play was first done, it was indeed a pretty much all male cast. A few years back, there was a touring company that used an all female cast. Marriott has opted to use a cast made up of both male and female performers and has  actors of all races playing the roles. Our world is changed and gender and race are no longer of great importance in performance art and theater. It is the story and the performance that holds the audience and makes them feel good!

This all-star cast truly hits all the right spots, getting laughs where there should be laughs, ovations where there should be ovations and a great understanding of our history at a perfect time as we near the upcoming election. In our history classes, so many years ago, I always felt that when we spoke about the men that changed our territory into The United States of America we regarded them as heroes with great ideas. In watching this story evolve, we see them as men. Men who either want to do what they feel is for all, or at least for their constituents. As it turns out, we see these men as men. Yes, plain men with desires , with dreams and with worries.

John Adams (played to perfection by Tyrick Wiltez Jones) is our main character. It is his desire to establish independence, but it appears none of the others like him and so they quash his every try. Ben Franklin ( a masterful performance by Richard R. Henry) becomes his ally and together they convince Thomas Jefferson ( deftly handled by Erik Hellman) to write the actual declaration. Adams has many conversations with his wife, Abigail (Katherine Alexis Thomas). These are staged in a manner to show that these were not actual, but in his mind. Well done, for sure!

John Dickenson, a Pennsylvania Representative felt that the English would accept them and that they should not fight this battle. This character is played by Heidi Kettenring who is amazing with her “Cool Cool, Considerate Men” number in Act Two. While the music is, for the most part, not hum out the door music, it does make the story move ,and the ensemble hits every note. Pay close attention to the song by Rutlidge (Matthew Hommel) from South Carolina as he tells Jefferson that he must delete the portion of the declaration dealing with slavery. His song, “Molasses To Rum” is powerful!

The ensemble is a treasure chest of talent composed of:Neala Barron, Jesse Bhamrah, Patrick Byrnes, Lillian Castillo, Danielle Davis, Teddy Gales, Joel Gelman, Lucy Godinez, Dan Gold, Karl Hamilton ( great comic relief), Alicia Kaori, Ed Kross, Gabrielle Lott-Rogers, Michael Earvin Martin, Austin Nelson Jr., Mary Robin Roth, Nancy Voigts, Jay Westbrook, Savanah Sinclair, Nathe Rowbotham, Kavin Moore and Kelli Harrington- BRAVO!

The costumes (Theresa Ham) were amazing and the wigs (Miguel A. Armstrong) powerful. The set (Regina Garcia worked well considering the in-the-round staging, and the props ( Sally Zack) were right on. This is probably the slickest version of “1776” ever! I suggest that you bring your family for the this one and I believe you will have some great discussions with the kids.

“1776” will continue thru October 17th with performances as follows: