1776: A Look Inside The Declaration of Independence

Gisela Adisa as John Adams

 

By Darlene Donloe

The year was 1776! 

It was a monumental year as representatives from all of the existing colonies came together to rigorously debate whether to institute something that would eventually be called the Declaration of Independence.

It all plays out in American Repertory Theater/Roundabout Theatre Company’s new production of the Tony Award-winning Best Musical,  ‘1776,’ a revival of the musical about the birth of America and the Declaration of Independence, now running at the Ahmanson Theatre through May 7, 2023.

The show, co-directed by Jeffrey L. Page and Diane Paulus, tells the story of how the representatives eventually came together to officially declare independence from England. It’s an eye-opening musical that highlights how many of the white, male reps were willing to allow slavery to continue. For instance, in an early draft of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas Jefferson added antislavery language but the Southern states wouldn’t sign until he took it out – to the chagrin of John Adams and Benjamin Franklin – who suggested to Adams that it was a necessary evil. “First things first,!” says Franklin. “Independence! America! For if we don’t secure that, what difference will the rest make?”

As Edward Rutledge, the rep from South Carolina put it, paraphrasing – “They (Black people) aren’t people, they are property.” Rutledge is played superbly by Kassandra Haddock.

Of course, history records that the proceedings were all conducted by the gang that would come to be known as the Founding Fathers (FF), all of whom happened to be white men.

Depending on your leanings, and especially your ethnic background, the FF either did a brilliant job, or they failed the nation miserably. More than 250 years later – America is still reeling and the “All men are created equal” passage in the Declaration remains a joke.

Well, this fascinating and intriguing production pulls back the curtain and takes us inside the many contentious meetings that took place. It also highlights just how much of a gender imbalance there was. It’s all played out in living color – literally. 

The story is told, boldly, by a diverse cast. A glorious multiracial cast of female, transgender, and non-binary actors portray the fiery founders of this country, putting history in the hands of the humans who were left out the first time around.

There are at least two side stories being told. The first one is the relationship between John and Abigail Adams, which is sweet. The second one is the constant news from the front being sent by George Washington. 

What is brilliant about the casting – is that – it doesn’t matter. The cast is inspiring! Nothing is lost in translation.

Liz Mikel (L) as Benjamin Franklin

There are some really good performances throughout the cast. Gisela Adisa rocks as the “obnoxious and unliked” John Adams, Oneika Phillips is fabulous as John Hancock (President of the Congress), Shawna Hamic leaves it all on the stage as Richard Henry Lee, while Liz Mikel puts a comedic spin on the character of Benjamin Franklin. Brooke Simpson, who opens the show revealing that she is a full-blooded Native American and a member of the Haliwa-Saponi Tribe, blows the roof off on the ballad, “Momma, Look Sharp.” 

All of the voices are impressive, and there are too many stand-out performances to mention.

The “1776” company includes Shelby Acosta as Secretary Charles Thomson, Gisela Adisa as John Adams, Nancy Anderson as Thomas Jefferson, Tiffani Barbour as Andrew McNair, Dawn Cantwell as Col. Thomas McKean, Julie Cardia as Stephen Hopkins, Amanda Dayhoff as a standby, Sara Gallo as a standby, Joanna Glushak as John Dickinson, Anissa Marie Griego as Roger Sherman, Kassandra Haddock as Edward Rutledge, Shawna Hamic as Richard Henry Lee, Lisa Karlin as a standby, Connor Lyon as Martha Jefferson/Dr. Lyman Hall, Liz Mikel as Benjamin Franklin, Nykila Norman as Caesar Rodney, Oneika Phillips as John Hancock, Lulu Picart as Samuel Chase, Kayla Saunders as a standby, Ariella Serur as Judge James Wilson, Brooke Simpson as the Courier, Sav Souza as Dr. Josiah Bartlett, Lillie Eliza Thomas as a standby, Tieisha Thomas as Abigail Adams/Rev. Jonathan Witherspoon, Zuri Washington as Robert Livingston, Gwynne Wood as George Read, and Candice Marie Woods as Joseph Hewes. 

The cast of '1776'

Some of the material is presented comically, particularly the character of Benjamin Franklin – who is depicted as old and narcoleptic. Some of it is sexist, which is hilarious considering it's women playing men.

The story makes you look at some of the players - John Adams, his wife, Abigail Adams, and Benjamin Franklin in a different light, and others like John Dickinson, and Edward Rutledge with a side-eye.  

The score has some real gems, including ‘Sit Down, John,’ ‘But, Mr. Adams,’ ‘Molasses to Run,’ ‘Momma Look Sharp,’ ‘The Lees of Old Virginia,’ the popular and slightly naughty, ‘He Plays the Violin,’ and more.

Creative costuming and minimalist scenic design are a success!

The show is a great history lesson.

A note for the play is the acoustics.  Much of the dialogue is muffled, unintelligible, or completely lost. It happened throughout the show, which is also disappointing because, for sure, some dialogue zingers were missed. 

“1776” features music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and a book by Peter Stone. It is based on a concept by Sherman Edwards. Tony Award-winning director Diane Paulus (“Jagged Little Pill,” “Waitress,” “Pippin”) and MTV Music Video Award-winning choreographer Jeffrey L. Page (Beyoncé’s “Run the World (Girls)” video, “Memphis” in Tokyo; “Violet” starring Sutton Foster at Roundabout Theatre Company) direct the production. 

Kudos to the “1776” design team that includes Tony Award-winning scenic designer Scott Pask (“Waitress,” “Finding Neverland,” “Pippin”); Tony Award-nominated costume designer Emilio Sosa (“The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess”); lighting designer Jennifer Schriever (“In the Body of the World” at A.R.T./New York City Center; “Fingersmith” at A.R.T.); Tony Award-nominated sound designer Jonathan Deans (“Jagged Little Pill,” “Waitress,” “Finding Neverland” at A.R.T./Broadway; “Pippin” on Broadway) and Drama Desk Award-nominated projection designer David Bengali (“We Live in Cairo” at A.R.T., associate designer of “Witness Uganda” at A.R.T./“Invisible Thread” at Second Stage).

The “1776” music team is comprised of music supervisor/music director Ryan Cantwell (“Pippin”); original music supervisor David Chase (“Finding Neverland”); Tony Award-nominated Orchestrator John Clancy (“Fun Home;” “Mean Girls”); vocal designer AnnMarie Milazzo (“Finding Neverland”). The associate director is Brisa Arelis Muñoz and the associate choreographer is Courtney Ross.

On the DONLOE SCALE, D (don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likable), O (oh, yeah), and E (excellent), ‘1776’ gets an O (oh, yeah). 

‘1776,’ Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand, Los Angeles, Tuesday through Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.; $40-$155; CenterTheatreGroup.org, Audience Services at (213) 972-4400.