1776

1776, A Revolutionary Musical

(Olney, MD) Olney Theatre Center brings American spirit to its New Mainstage with 1776, perfect election year fare! Join our founding fathers as they argue, struggle, compromise, and fight for freedom. “1776 is a fun and spirited look at a crucial moment in American history,” said Director and Choreographer Stephen Nachamie.

1776 plays on the New Mainstage April 9 – May 11. Tickets are just $25 - $48 with discounts available to groups, seniors, and students. Kids are ½ price! Call the Box Office at 301.924.3400 or visit olneytheatre.org for tickets. In addition, Olney offers several special performances that include sign interpretation, audio description, and post-show discussions. (Please see the attached “Fact Sheet” for more details.)

1776 visits John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson as they grapple with the Continental Congress and independence from Britain. Inspired by the words of our founding fathers, 1776 was written during the Vietnam War. “Now is a good time to re-explore the piece,” Nachamie said.

The musical provides insight into our nation’s humble beginnings in addition to putting the country’s modern challenges into perspective.  “There is no hero or villain. We see both sides of every issue – loyalist and patriot. We are reminded that our country’s independence was taken through compromise, courage, wisdom, and folly. It provides insight into what is going on with the nation currently; it is a very timely piece,” Nachamie said.

Nachamie makes his Olney directorial debut. His regional credits include Into the Woods at NYU; tick, tick…BOOM! at New Repertory Theatre; as well as Hank Williams: Lost Highway and Urinetown at Barnstormers Theatre. He is also the winner of the 2003 NC Triangle Award for re-creating Jerome Robbins' West Side Story.

The music and orchestra is in the capable hands of Christopher Youstra. Youstra, Musical Director and Conductor, returns to Olney where he musically directed Cinderella, Anything Goes, Oliver!, and Fiddler on the Roof, among many others. He will lead a tight pit that includes piano, accordion, piccolo, flute, clarinet, violin, trumpet, trombone, and percussion.

1776 is a unique musical in that it has 26 principals, most of whom are men. Each song and each character advances the story. Playing the leading role of John Adams is Paul Binotto. Binotto's DC-area credits including the title role in Candide and Gabey in On The Town at Arena Stage (both Helen Hayes Award nominations). His Broadway credits include the original company of Dreamgirls and the revival of Hair. Thomas Jefferson is played by Rob Richardson. Richardson's previous national tour credits include Gaylord Ravenal in Showboat, Edward Rutledge in 1776, and Lt. Brannigan in Guys and Dolls in Macau, China. Harry A. Winter will be on stage as the famous Benjamin Franklin. Winter has toured nationally in Gigi and Jolson: The Musical. He was last seen in Fiddler on the Roof at Olney.

The rest of the Continental Congress is rounded out by Michael Bunce as Richard Henry Lee, Carl Randolph as John Hancock, Don Edward Black as Stephen Hopkins, Peter Boyer as Dr. Lyman Hall, Andrew Boza as Lewis Morris, Dean Marshall as Rev. Witherspoon, Byron Fenstermacker as Samuel Chase, Dave Joria as Charles Thomson, Don Kenefick  as Dr. Josiah Bartlett, Scott Kenison as Joseph Hewes, Bill Largess as Caesar Rodney, Joe Myering as Roger Sherman, Joe Peck as Robert Livingston, Ben Shovlin as Col. Thomas McKean, Thomas Adrian Simpson as John Dickinson, Chris Sizemore as Edward Rutledge, Jonathan Lee Taylor as Andrew McNair, Joe Thanner as George Read, and John Tweel as James Wilson.

The two women in the mostly male cast are Eileen Ward and Jessica Lauren Ball. Ward will appear as Abigail Adams. She last appeared at Olney in the role of Rose in The Secret Garden. Ball will perform the role of Martha Jefferson. Her recent credits include Maria in The Sound of Music and Kate McGowan in Titanic at Toby's Dinner Theatre.

The cast is filled out by James Garland as Leather Apron and Painter and Sam Ludwig as Courier. H. Alan Hoffman will be the Male Swing, and Brittany Rose Baratz is the Female Swing.

Set Designer Robert Andrew Kovach has created a design that resembles a gladiator pit – poised for a good fight! Kovach’s credits include Peter Pan and Windy City at Walnut Street Theatre; Cats, West Side Story, and The Sound of Music at Carousel Theatre. The Lighting Design will be done by Jeffrey S. Koger. He has designed shows in New York at The Public Theatre, Harold Clurman, The Kirk Theatre, Theatre for a New City, Primary Stages, and Signature Theatre Company. Costume Designer, Howard Vincent Kurtz has costumed the cast in full period dress. Kurtz is the Resident Costume Designer at Olney and recently designed Doubt: A Parable and Fiddler on the Roof for Olney. The rest of the design team includes Dialect Consultant Lynn Watson, Sound Designer Jarett Pisani, and Wig Designer Karlah Hamilton.

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