“1776” comes to Roberts stage
by Terra Osterling
John Adams, John Dickinson and James Wilson (played by Jeff Miller, Jim Schmitt and Steve Cortese) debate declaring independence from the British monarchy in this rehearsal scene from the Roberts Wesleyan College Community Theatre musical “1776”, opening September 21 at Hale Auditorium.Roberts Wesleyan College Community Theatre (RWCCT) is producing its first fall musical, the Tony award-winning “1776,” opening at Andrews B. Hale Auditorium on September 21.
“1776” is a historical musical based on the writing and signing of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia. Written by Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone, “1776” premiered on Broadway in 1969, ran for 1,217 performances and was nominated for five Tony awards, winning three including Best Musical. A popular film version followed in 1972.
The RWCCT Board, a diverse local group passionate about theatre, felt strongly about the relevance of offering this show during the election season. “1776” is known for its comedic and humanizing portrayal of the nation’s founders and for its dramatization of the Second Continental Congress’s debates and vote for independence.
Some of the 21 characters are composites of historical figures in this partly-fictionalized story, but scenes featuring John and Abigail Adams are based on the actual letters exchanged between the Founding Father and his esteemed wife.
(The musical “1776”) makes, what many feel as boring, something that is alive, exciting and downright funny at times,” says Director/Choreographer Michael C. Krickmire, who is a lecturer and production manager for The College at Brockport Department of Theatre and Music Studies.
Krickmire is well-known to community theatre in the area, having served as producing/artistic director of the Rochester Community Players from 1987 to 1997, and has directed productions throughout the Rochester area. This will be his first production with RWCCT, but not his first experience with “1776,” a show that is known as a favorite among musical theatre performers.
Several members of the RWCCT cast have appeared in the show previously – Krickmire performed in it early in his career and Paul Gunderson of Corfu reprises his role of Benjamin Franklin having played the statesman in a Syracuse production of “1776.” Many other cast members have appeared in “1776” productions.
The cast of 26 hails from all over the area. They portray historical figures including Thomas Jefferson, John Hancock, Benjamin Franklin, and the Adamses – Abigail is played by Elizabeth Simpson who travels from Mt. Morris and is a recent graduate of The College of Brockport Theatre program.
“Most of the actors have a lot of experience in community theatre around the area,” says Krickmire of the cast, which he calls a vocally strong group.
Community theatre performers have day jobs and their involvement is largely a labor of love. Cast in June, the performers began rehearsing in mid-August on a condensed and rigorous four week schedule of five nights per week.
RWCCT shows are normally produced in January after a 12 week rehearsal schedule, meeting three nights per week. In their final week they will rehearse on-set and in-costume, with the orchestra, as the crew finalizes technical details.
One unique fact about “1776” is that it has the longest instance of no music among Broadway musicals, nearly 30 minutes in the third scene. “This provides a challenge [for the performers],” says Eric Traugott, a RWCCT board member, “but the audience is engaged and entertained as it is a pivotal point in the show.”
Traugott, who portrays Secretary Thomson, joined the RWCCT Board after stage managing a previous show. He is also a vocal-general music teacher in the East Irondequoit school district. Traugott says that the goal of the RWCCT is to stage family-friendly quality musicals while also offering an enjoyable theatre experience for performers.
Musicians, cast and crew members are college students, Roberts Wesleyan and The College at Brockport alumni, and local residents who are all passionate about community theatre. They become involved by word of mouth and increasingly, says Traugott, by social media. The RWCCT manages both a website www.roberts.edu/rwcct/ and Facebook page.
“1776” features accurate period costumes and a set by Technical Director Jim Price, who visited Independence Hall in Philadelphia for inspiration. Kelly Walsh-Lackey is vocal director and Terry Bacon is orchestra director. David Meyer is production manager, and appears as Connecticut Delegate Roger Sherman alongside his son and daughter who play the Courier and Martha Jefferson.
The RWCCT has been producing Broadway musicals since 1997, and offered in recent years “42nd Street” and “Annie.” “Singin’ in the Rain” is scheduled for January.
“1776” opens Friday, September 21 at 7:30 p.m., with additional performances scheduled for September 22 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m., and September 23 at 2 p.m. Run time is 2 hours and 15 minutes with a 15 minute intermission. Concessions will be available.
Tickets are on sale now at the Roberts Wesleyan Box Office, open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., or one hour before performances.
For tickets by phone, call 585-594-6008 or 1-800-222-1048, or online at www.roberts.edu/home/clc. Ticket prices range from $10 to $15.
