1776
book by Peter Stone
music & lyrics by Sherman Edwards
directed by Todd Nielsen
Glendale Centre Theatre
through August 13
Since its premiere on Broadway in 1969, the musical 1776 has become as popular as Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music; it seems that people cannot get enough of the show especially around the Fourth of July. After all, why read a history book when you can be entertained by a humorous retelling of our nation's conception? Giving in to the family fix for 1776, Glendale Centre Theatre is currently mounting a dutiful production with excellent direction and cast through August 13.
Statesman John Adams, farmer Thomas Jefferson and sage Benjamin Franklin were the trio instrumental in writing our Declaration of Independance, and as portrayed in this musical, they were real human beings irritated by hot weather and flies like all men. Yes, they became iconic figures in history, but, let's face it, they were just as fed up with tyranny/oppression as contemporary congressmen. And...like their contemporaries, they had to compromise, frequently delving into dirty politics to make things go... and hypocritical, committing the very acts they so vehemently opposed . So, Peter Stone's book really hits the mark. And the music isn't bad either. Sherman Edwards devised some tuneful ditties like "The Lees of Old Virginia" and "He Plays the Violin" with highly playful language and double meanings to amuse. As to drama, there is no more dynamic a song than "Molasses to Rum" in Act II that admonishes everyone for the existence of slavery. Comedy and drama side by side in which Stone and Edwards shine brightly!
As for this cast, they are all fine, with certain standouts. Peter Husmann makes a strongly opinionated John Adams, John Butz, an amusing and endearing Ben Franklin, and Jeff Drushal an intensely ingenious Jefferson. Jason W. Webb is terrific as John Dickinson, the republican in opposition; Bryan Vickery appropriately energetic and fun as Richard Henry Lee; Joey Zangardi makes waves as Rutledge with his "Molasses..." solo, and Scott Strauss is consistently in tune with his gravely ill Caesar Rodney. The two women in the cast are equally wonderful: Victoria Strong, with lovely voice, as AbiGail Adams and Michaelia Leigh beautiful and sensually perky as Martha Jefferson. Thanks to Todd Nielsen, the entire ensemble sit, stand and posture convincingly in period costume.
It is indeed a challenging task to play traffic cop with 26 actors onstage - and in the round! Talented Nielsen has directed skillfully for the most part, but I would restage the courier's solo of "Momma Look Sharp" at the end of Act I. Stationary and with his back to half the audience, the lad does not convey half the emotional potency that the number requires. We should be shaken to the core here! Kudos as well goes to musical director Steven Applegate, to Angela Wood for her involvement with costumes and Nathan J. Milisavlejevich for his sturdy sound design.
Overall, this is as fine a production of 1776 as one will see on the road and Glendale Centre Theatre is to be highly commended. As most folks do love to make fun of politicians, you have the perfect chance through August 13 to see a replication of the very first Congress and to laugh at all their faux pas, so terribly and enjoyably human. And you thought today's Congress were bad mannered!
