1776, the Musical

The musical puts a human face on the pages of history during the summer of 1776 as the nation is ready to declare independence. We see the proud, frightened, uncertain, irritable, charming, often petty, and ultimately noble figures of history as they struggle to craft the Declaration of Independence. 1776 is a Tony Award winning musical and a funny, insightful and compelling drama with a striking score by Sherman Edwards and legendary book by Peter Stone. It was previously produced by the Guild during the 1975 and 2003 seasons.

AVAILABLE ROLES

Actors; most are Singers (cast of 27)

John Adams – Delegate from Massachusetts; dutiful husband, opinionated, passionate and a bit boisterous; plays age 41; vocal range C3-F#4; leading character

Benjamin Franklin– Delegate from Pennsylvania; intelligent, well-traveled, cunning; jolly and admirable; plays age 60-70; vocal range Ab2-Eb4; leading character

Thomas Jefferson – Delegate from Virginia; tall, mild-mannered, well-read and in love with his wife; bright and a good writer; plays age 33; vocal range C3-G4; leading character

Abaigail Adams – Wife of John Adams in her 30s; warm, gentle, intelligent; vocal range top: F5

Martha Jefferson – Pretty delightful wife of Thomas; radiates joy; plays age 27; vocal range top: D5

John Dickinson – Delegate from Pennsylvania; thin hawkish gentleman with a sharp tongue; plays age 44; vocal range to top E4; sings on “Cool, Cool, Considerate Men”

James Wilson – Delegate from Pennsylvania; pompous figure in Congress; a gray puffy little man who speaks only after solemn deliberation; views the world from behind John Dickinson

Edward Rutledge – Delegate from South Carolina; good looking and haunting; youngest member of the Continental Congress; serpent like quality; plays age 26; sings “Molasses to Rum”; vocal range top A4

Richard Henry Lee – Delegate from Virginia; aristocratic, flamboyant, and irritating; plays age 45; vocal range C3-G4; featured character and sings “The Lees of Old Virginia”

Courier – Message runner between General Washington’s army and the Continental Congress; plays age 15-20; vocal range C3-Db4; sings “Mamma Look Sharp”

John Hancock – 39 year old president of Congress

Dr. Josiah Bartlett – Delegate from New Hampshire; dry New Englander without much humor

Stephen Hopkins – Delegate from Rhode Island; snarled and grizzled old geezer of 70; next to the oldest member of the 

Continental Congress; vocal range C3-Eb4

Lewis Morris – Delegate from NY; proper and formal; sings on “Cool, Cool Conservative Men”  

Robert Livingston – Delegate from NY; 30 year-old New York gentleman, with a new son;

his disposition has become one of humility and graciousness; vocal range Bb2-F4

Roger Sherman – Delegate from Connecticut; 55 year-old former cobbler; ascetic, serious and self-righteous; coffee drinker and hyperactive; vocal range C3-Bb4

Rev. John Witherspoon – New delegate from New Jersey

Caesar Rodney – Delegate from Delaware; gaunt, pale and bony 48 year-old man with cancer

Col. Thomas McKean – Delegate from Delaware; blustering Scottsman of 42; large, rugged; C3-Eb4

George Reed – Delegate from Delaware; small, round, bewigged and brilliantly dressed man

Samuel Chase – Delegate from Maryland; large and ungainly man

Joseph Hewes – Delegate from North Carolina; southern aristocrat; yields to Ruthledge

Dr. Lyman Hall – Delegate from Georgia; tall and distinguished; not in agreement with his state on vote

Charles Thomson – Secretary of Continental Congress; prudent, prissy, precise

Andrew McNair – Custodian; Gnomish little man of indeterminate age

Leather Apron – Assistant to Andrew McNair; custodian; wears a leather apron

Painter – Paints Benjamin Franklin