Musical ‘1776’ proves revolutionary and relevant
By DEBORAH SKOZEK
The Independent
Seemingly prescient, the TownSquare Players decided more than a year ago to produce the Tony-award winning musical “1776.” First performed on Broadway in 1969, the musical recounts some of the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence but is much more than a playful retelling of a historic event. Director
Geoffrey King’s experience may parallel that of many “boomers” who saw the musical some thirty years ago and found the musical retelling of this event both moving and memorable.
The talented ensemble cast proves up to the task of the 13-song, three-hour-long production. Principal cast members Robert Ryan Sadlowski (John Adams), Frank Gaughan (Benjamin Franklin), Scott Bussert (Thomas Jefferson) and Paul Lockwood (Richard Henry Lee) deliver passionate and exacting performances, singing and speaking clearly. The opening number, “For God’s Sake, John, Sit Down,” is particularly rousing
Peppered with humor throughout, thanks to rum-drinking Rhode Island delegate Stephen Hopkins (John McDonnell), Col. Thomas McKean played to great effect by the tall and burly David Freise, and the feisty Franklin, the musical moves seamlessly apace. Of course, well cast Abigail Adams (Carrie MacDonald) and Martha Jefferson (Robin Giebelhausen) add some romance and female perspective. MacDonald is a pleasant, no-nonsense spouse; whereas, Giebelhausen is an effervescent and charming bride.
Although Gary Gruebnau who portrays Secretary Charles Thomson seemed a little nervous opening night, his listing of congressional committees, the “yeast committee” the “drum and fife committee” and the “military defeat committee” are painful reminders of our present-day bureaucracy. The term “reconciliation” even appears in the play as the delegates discuss their historic legacies.
King's and Lou Czarny's set design concept for the congressional chamber and Kent Wilson's construction of it prove most effective, as does the evocative lighting design of Steven Hill. Orchestra Director Kathy Collins, for the most part, keeps the musicians from overpowering the singers. Percussionist Matt Potts is particularly good.
Washington’s courier, played by talented newcomer Nicholaus Langlois, poignantly sings the memorable “Momma Look Sharp,” which details the human toll that war exacts. Another wonderful performance is delivered by Alex Fayer as Robert Livingston who exhibits a marvelous tenor voice in the funny “But, Mr. Adams.”
Delegate from South Carolina Edward Rutledge, one of the Southern obstructionists, is played by Dan Kreisman, who dramatically belts out “Molasses to Rum,” a too painfully accurate song of how all the colonies benefit from slavery.
A perfectly balanced piece of theater, “1776” will prove entertaining no matter what side of the aisle you occupy. Surely, certain events, words and songs from the musical will prompt you to think of today’s political battleground. Alas! Where are today’s Franklin’s, Jefferson’s and Adams’s?
Performances will be at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, Mar. 12, 13, and 19, 20, and at 3 p.m. Sundays, Mar. 14 and 21, at the Woodstock Opera House. Call 815-338-5300 for tickets.
