1776 on Broadway: Show Is Now Closed
1776 Summary
- Show Status: Closed
- Genre: Musical - Revival
- 1776 is 2 Hours and 30 Minutes long, including an intermission of 15 Minutes
- 8 Shows per week
- Previews Began: September 16, 2022
- Show Opened : October 6, 2022
- Show Closed: January 8, 2023
A historical musical chronicling John Adam’s efforts to persuade his fellow congressmen to vote for American independence from England, and underlines the gender imbalance among the Founding Fathers by casting the show only with performers who identify as female, transgender or nonbinary.
What's 1776 Like?
Set in the Spring of 1776, the show follows John Adams, a oft-disliked political delegate from Massachusetts, as he attempts to convince his fellow members of the British controlled Second Continental Congress to vote on his proposals of American independence from King George in England.
The majority of Congress refuses to acknowledge Adams’ revolutionary ideas, leading the Massachusetts delegate to assemble a team of like-minded peers.
John Adams Brings Together a Powerhouse of Political Figures
With the likes of Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Hancock on his side, Adams attempts to convince the rest of Congress that independence from England is necessary to achieve self determination, proper taxation and freedom to choose its own future.
He achieves this through speeches, political appeasement, and one of the most important documents in American history, the Declaration of Independence, that forms the crux of democracy in the New World.
Comparisons to Hamilton
The show leverages upon the success of Hamilton, but fails to bring a hip-hop score that appeals to a younger demographic and instead goes with a conventional approach to the score.
Is 1776 Good for Kids?
This show is family friendly and a solid history lesson for any children in attendance.
However, some children may find the subject matter dull and a little bit uninteresting as it might feel like going to school.
1776 on Broadway Background
1776 is Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone’s Tony Award winning musical detailing the events that lead to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Show Debut on Broadway in 1969
The show made its Broadway debut in 1969 and was met with positive reviews and five Tony nominations. Of these nominations, it ultimately won “Best Musical”, “Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Musical”, and “Best Direction of a Musical”.
Film Adaptation in 1972
The show would go on to receive a film adaptation in 1972 that earned nominations in both the Golden Globes and the Academy Awards. The musical was revived on Broadway in 1997 and received a milk-toast reception and has now returned to the Broadway stage after a 14 year hiatus, but now with A-list actors and a whole new score.
Theatre Information
Todd Haimes Theatre
New York, NY 10019
Cast Members
- John Adams
- Kristolyn Lloyd
- John Adams
- Crystal Lucas-Perry
- Robert Livingston
- Gisela Adisa
- George Read
- Nancy Anderson
- Col. Thomas McKean
- Becca Ayers
- Andrew McNair
- Tiffani Barbour
- John Dickinson
- Carolee Carmello
- Abigail Adams/Rev. Jonathan Witherspoon
- Allyson Kaye Daniel
- Thomas Jefferson
- Elizabeth A. Davis
- Charles Thomson
- Mehry Eslaminia
- Stephen Hopkins
- Joanna Glushak
- Richard Henry Lee
- Shawna Hamic
- Martha Jefferson/Dr. Lyman Hall
- Eryn LeCroy
- John Hancock
- Liz Mikel
- Benjamin Franklin
- Patrena Murray
- Joseph Hewes
- Oneika Phillips
- Samuel Chase
- Lulu Picart
- Edward Utledge
- Sara Porkalob
- Judge James Wilson
- Sushma Saha
- Roger Sherman
- Brooke Simpson
- Courier
- Salome B. Smith
- Dr. Josiah Bartlett
- Sav Souza
- Caesar Rodney
- Jill Vallery
Producers
Roundabout Theatre Company
American Repertory Theatre
Production Credits
- General Manager
- Denise Cooper
- Casting Director
- Jim Carnahan
- Advertising Representative
- SPOTCo
- Press Agent
- Polk & Co
Creative Team
- Book Writer
- Peter Stone
- Music & Lyrics
- Sherman Edwards
- Director
- Diane Paulus