It’s a history lesson. It’s a musical. It’s on its International tour. 1776 won the Tony for Best Musical. The cast is made up of an all -female-presenting, non-binary and trans actors cast playing the roles of America’s Founding Fathers, and it’s all about how and when the ‘Declaration of Independence’ came about. It happened in The Pennsylvania State House, now known as Independence Hall 1776. That’s the one where twelve founding fathers (and mothers) drew up and set the ground -work for the signatures of 56 representatives (minus all but seven who did not sign at the time).
Written by Peter Stone and composer /lyricist Sherman Edwards in the late 1960’s, the events are, in essence are the lead up to the drafting of the Dec. of Independence. The final document was made public in January of 1777.
 |
| Opening Curtain |
It is co-directed by the husband and wife team of Jeffrey L. Page and Diane Paulus with choreography by Jeffrey L. Page and stars a seasoned cast headed by Liz Mikel as the proud and influential Benjamin Franklin, our own Carole Foreman as Robert Livingston of New York, Nancy Anderson
 |
| Gisela Adisa, Nancy Anderson and Liz Mikel |
as Thomas Jefferson and the most persuasive and in favor of independence from England, Giesla Adisa as John Adams who, while abstaining, pushed through and finally signed. (Sit Down John)
 |
| Gisela Adisa as John Adams |
In an ah-ha moment the subject of slavery came up by none other than Thomas Jefferson, a lave holder himself, (he had over 600 slaves in his lifetime) blaming the Crown for the slave trade, describing it as a “crime against humanity.” At the time 13 colonies had a stake in keeping slaves for both political and economic. There was a walkout of the southern states that needed to be remedied. In the final analysis, Jefferson, voted against the anti-slave clause. *
*“Indeed, removing Jefferson's condemnation of slavery would prove the most significant deletion from the Declaration of Independence. The founders’ failure to directly address the question of slavery exposed the hollowness of the words “all men created equal.” Nonetheless, the underlying ideals of freedom and equality expressed in the document have inspired generations of Americans to struggle to obtain their inalienable rights.”
* Declaration of Independence BY: YOHURU WILLIAMS
PUBLISHED: JUNE 29, 2020.
 |
| Cast of 1776 |
Projection and scenic designs by David Bengali and Scott Pask along with lighting designer Jen Schriever make up an equally splendid composition of the stage presentation/look. Costumes as well, are spot on period looking and showing off the wealth of some of the delegates are created by Emilio Sosa with hair and wigs by Mia Neal. Sound design is by Jonathan Deans. Given that the Civic has a lousy sound system, it managed to be very loud, but not necessarily clear, except when singing (gorgeous voiced Joanna Glushak) one or two of the thirteen musical numbers, but not in the dialogue.
If you’re interested in our history in the making and what that history looks like today, 1776 is your best bet. It plays through the 14th. To this day the topic of equal rights is debated on a daily basis. We are on journey back to the future where, had it been resolved in 1776, who knows?
Enjoy.
See you at the theatre.
 |
| Center: Joanna Glushak as John Dickinson of Pennsylvania |
When: 7 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 7:30 p.m. Thursday; 8 p.m. May 12; 2 and 8 p.m. May 13; 1 and 6:30 p.m. May 14
Where: San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown
Tickets: $39 and up
Photo: Joan Marcus
Phone: (619) 564-3000
Online: broadwaysd.com
No comments:
Post a Comment