1776
Music and Lyrics by: Sherman Edwards
Book by: Peter Stone
Directed by: Eric Levy
Music Directed by: M. Shane Hurst
Produced by: Allen Contemporary Theatre
Audience Rating: PG for Mild Language
Running Time: Two Hours 40min with one 15-minute intermission
Accessible Seating: Available
Hearing Devices: Not Available
Sensory Friendly Showing: Not Available
Sound Level: Comfortable
Audio/Visuals To Prepare For: None
Reviewed by Dan C. Rogers
1776 is patriotic, inspiring, thought provoking and delightful. The production team at Allen Contemporary Theatre in Allen has summoned a wonderfully talented ensemble of performers to bring to life the debates and conflicts leading to the formation and signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Director Eric Levy has a mixture of creative performers portraying the Founding Fathers; he describes them as men with both virtues and vices. They could be passionate, pious, magnanimous, quarrelsome, egotistical, and rude, but one thing they had in common was putting aside their differences and determinedly agreeing to stand up to tyranny and oppression.
At the forefront is John Adams in the bombastic persona of Alex Bigus - proud, loud, and pushy. Not a very likable individual, except to his wife Abigal, a patient and supportive, steady influence with the voice of reason coming from Jennifer Becherer.
The wise, witty, and sleepy Benjamin Franklin, who proudly reminds everyone that he invented the stove, is portrayed with a charming twinkle in his eye and quiet confidence by Russell A. Harris. Adams and Franklin bicker and bargain with the remaining holdouts; they spar with the reluctant delegate Edward Rutledge, portrayed by Nick Merritt, whose energetic rendition of "Molasses to Rum" is a vocal highlight of the production. They also clash with the steadfast John Dickinson, played with feisty conviction by Michael McMillian, who refuses to sign the Declaration yet ultimately pledges to fight for the nation he cannot bring himself to endorse on paper.
Music Director M. Shane Hurst uses other equally impressive voices, such as the elegant and powerful clarity of Shea McMillan as Martha Jefferson and a marvelous sound coming from Mark Hall as Thomas Jefferson. There will not be a dry eye in the audience after Stuart Terbeek as the courier who delivers messages from George Washington, delivers a spine-tingling performance singing “Momma Look Sharp”.
Choreographer Becca Tischer has kept the dance steps minimalistic without diminishing the prestige of the delegates in the Convention. It is a smooth style of catchy steps and coordinated gestures highlighting the content of the songs.
Act One of 1776 is a lengthy act. The facility cautions audience members to plan their liquid intake accordingly for the hour and forty minutes until intermission. The time goes by quickly in the Chamber of the Continental Congress, as designed by Eddy Herring, with witty dialogue and historical focus occasionally resulting in an audience member whispering “I didn’t know that”.
1776 runs from June 26 - July 12 at Allen Contemporary Theatre in Allen. Tickets are going fast, with many performances already sold out, so book soon at www.AllenContemporaryTheatre.net/tickets.
For a celebration of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence there is nothing quite as patriotic as enjoying a feel-good presentation of 1776 at Allen Contemporary Theatre.
It is just what the doctor ordered!
DR
Comments
Post a Comment