We all know the basics of how the Declaration of Independence turned out, especially this time of year when we celebrate that historic document on the Fourth of July. But do we really know much about the men who fussed and debated in Philadelphia in 1776 to craft the words that set in motion the course of American history? Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone’s 1969 musical (a Tony Award winner, by the way) portrays the members of the Continental Congress as very human, very passionate men.
And they were all men. The musical 1776 requires a cast of about two dozen strong male singers and actors to portray our founding fathers. They were a querulous bunch with opinions from all points on the political spectrum, not too different from today’s politicians, in fact.
This production at the new Incline Theater has rounded up fine cast of performers, led by Rodger Pille as feisty Boston attorney John Adams, the flash point in the back-and-forth argument about whether the colonies should declare their independence from England. The show’s opening number, “For God’s Sake, John, Sit Down,” announces immediately that we will meet a crowd of very human characters.
Read the full review here
Through July 26. $26 adults; $23 students. Warsaw Federal Incline Public Theater, 801 Matson Place, Price Hill,
cincinnatilandmarkproductions.com .
This article appears in Jul 15-21, 2015.
