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Noted Author to Speak About Founding Fathers March 7
The Tony Award-winning musical, “1776,” provides an entertaining way of learning about how our Founding Fathers came to the decision to separate from Britain and to create the document that came to be known as the Declaration of Independence. TownSquare Players (TSP), Inc. is presenting the musical at the Woodstock Opera House nine times over three weekends starting March 5.
As a special added attraction, TSP is bringing in a noted U.S. history expert, Professor Joseph Morton of Crystal Lake, to give a free half-hour talk on “Jefferson, Franklin, and Adams: Who Were They, Really?” Professor Morton’s address will begin at 2 p.m. Sunday, March 7 in the Community Room at the Opera House, one hour before TSP’s 3 p.m. matinee performance of the musical that features Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and other members of the Second Continental Congress.
Professor Morton has a wide-ranging background. He is professor emeritus at Northeastern Illinois University, and has bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate degrees from the University of Maryland. He has authored 12 articles in various historical journals and encyclopedia, 42 book reviews and review articles in historical journals, and 2 books (“The American Revolution” and “Shapers of the Great Debate at the Constitutional Convention of 1787”). He has been a trustee at Harper College, a member of the Faculty Advisory Committee to the Illinois Board of Higher Education, and a visiting professor in the People’s Republic of China. He also recently started a weekly column, “On This Day,” in the Northwest Herald that shines a spotlight on key events in America’s history that occurred on that particular month and day.
TSP encourages those attending the musical on March 7 to come early to get a better understanding of the people and events of 1776, and while a ticket is required to see the musical, no ticket is required to listen to Professor Morton’s presentation.
Cast Announced:
Scott Bussert ............... Thomas Jefferson
Jim Dixon ............... Dr. Lyman Hall
Alex Fayer ............... Robert Livingston
Dick Foertsch ............... Lewis Morris
David Friese ............... Col. Thomas McKean
David Gasior ............... John Hancock
Brendan Gaughan ............... Leather Apron/Painter
Frank Gaughan ............... Ben Franklin
Robin Giebelhausen ............... Martha Jefferson
Gary Gruebenau ............... Charles Thomson
Peter Heimsoth .......... Caesar Rodney
Paul Jenkins ............... George Read
Dan Kreisman ............... Edward Rutledge
Nicholaus Langlois .......... Courier
Paul Lockwood ............... Richard Henry Lee
Carrie MacDonald ............... Abigail Adams
David Baker ............... Andrew McNair
John McDonnell ............... Stephen Hopkins
Mike Pirtle ............... James Wilson
Rick Williamson .......... Dr. Josiah Bartlett
Sandy Rutherford ............... Samuel Chase
Robert Ryan Sadlowski .......... John Adams
Larry Schubert ............... Roger Sherman
Michael Van Belle ............... John Dickinson
Joe Weyland .......... Joseph Hewes
Bob Wilbrandt ............... Rev.Jonathan Witherspoon
Production Staff:
Producer, Stage Manager, Tech Coordinator...Lou Czarny
Artistic Director and Vocal Director...Geoffrey King
Orchestra Conductor ... Kathy Collins
Choreographer...Angie Kells
Rehearsal & Performance Pianist ... Barb Klein
Light Design...Steven Hill
Set Construction Foreman...Kent Wilson
Properties Manager ... Lynne Kreisman
Costumers ... Ron & Bernice Ferraro
Full Synopsis:
This stirring musical begins on a sweltering day in Philadelphia, May 8, 1776. The Second Continental Congress is in session, and John Adams, the Massachusetts representative, is enumerating his grievances against King George III and lobbying for independence. The other delegates, already divisive and annoyed by his arguments, demand, in the song “Sit Down, John” that he be quiet.
Frustrated that his views have not prevailed Adams seeks out Benjamin Franklin, who is having his portrait painted. Franklin reminds Adams that no colony ever successfully broke away from its parent country. He also notes that because the members of the Congress dislike Adams he might find someone else to present the idea of independence.
Richard Henry Lee, a delegate from Virginia, arrives at Franklin’s request and offers to secure a proposal from the Virginia legislature himself. When his ability to do this is questioned, Lee explains that his illustrious family history makes him perfect for the job.
When Lee returns from Virginia with the proposal for independence the Congress is once again thrown into roiling debate. Some members, led by John Dickinson, oppose independence and favor simply petitioning George III with their grievances. Adams and Franklin lead the charge toward independence, arguing that it has been a full year since the bloody battles of Lexington and Concord and therefore too late to reconcile with England.
Finally, after much argument, the proposal for independence is put up for vote--with Dickinson’s stipulation that the vote must be unanimous. At this point Adams and Franklin suggest that a declaration be written, prior to the vote, which clearly details their goals. This also serves the purpose of delaying the decision while they attempt to gain more votes in favor of their cause
Adams, knowing that he has few supporters in Congress, suggests that someone else write the declaration. Other members of the Declaration Committee pass the task of writing the declaration (with threats of physical force, if needed) to more popular and eloquent Thomas Jefferson.
Jefferson accepts, but is soon frustrated by writer’s block and is unable to concentrate on completing the document. Adams and Franklin determine that Jefferson’s “problem” is that he misses his new bride, Martha, and is unable to focus. Adams arranges for Martha to join her husband in Philadelphia, and they celebrate their love in the song “He Plays the Violin.” Soon after her arrival Jefferson is able to complete the first draft of the document, which Adams and Franklin pronounce as a work of genius.
Congress, however, is quick to find numerous problems with the document. After much debate and frustration, Jefferson agrees to all of the recommended changes, but draws the line when Edward Rutledge of South Carolina passionately opposes the abolition of slavery. With half of the Congress threatening too walk out with Rutledge, Adams and Jefferson concede on the slavery issue and win back the two Carolinas.
After more debate the final vote is cast by James Wilson, who votes in favor not so much because of his own belief in the cause, but because he does not want to be remembered in history as “the man who prevented American independence.”
The play closes as one by one the delegates gather together to sign the Declaration of Independence. In the background, as the curtain falls, the Liberty Bell tolls loudly.
