Let Freedom Ring in 1776 at Erie Playhouse
Theatrical celebration of America's 250
BEGINNING FRIDAY, JUN. 12
Two hundred and fifty years after America declared its freedom from England, we still revere our Founding Fathers. It's important to remember that rather than mythical giants of unquestionable morality and character, these were real men and women standing on the precipice, and they possessed human flaws just like the rest of us. The 1969 Broadway musical 1776 captures something of this, and that is perhaps why it is as important a story as any in these modern times. Luckily, the Erie Playhouse's production of 1776 will start up in mid-June, just ahead of the yearly anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
If you are a Hamilton fan and all this Revolution stuff sounds familiar, you should know the two shows are worlds apart: "Thomas Jefferson and George Washington are the only men who appear in both shows," Richard Davis, the artistic director for the Erie Playhouse (and the director of this production) explained. The actual signing of the Declaration, and the two months leading up to it, form the focus of the musical.
In fact, many famous names from the era appear in 1776: Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, Abigail Adams, and Martha Jefferson, are among over two dozen characters total, the vast majority of them are men. While the turnout for auditions was good, Davis nonetheless had to reach out to fill all the roles.
"I am thrilled with the cast we have," Davis said, saying that the opening number in particular is exciting. Another challenge at hand, he identified, was "creating the essence of Independence Hall and placing 24 men onstage together while making them all visible to the audience."
Still, the Playhouse rises to every difficulty, and the cast and crew are bringing to the stage a production that is as timely as ever. "1776 serves as a good reminder that creating this new nation was a monumental, messy task," Davis pronounced. Two hundred and fifty years later, it seems we're still figuring things out.
Thursday, Friday, and Saturday shows: 7:30 p.m.; Sunday matinee: 2 p.m. // 13 W. 10th St. // $20.40 to $31.40 // For more information, including the full performance schedule, ticket prices, and to purchase tickets, please visit: erieplayhouse.org
