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Overview
Synopsis
It is a long hot summer in Philadelphia, and the Continental Congress is an exhausted, annoyed, quarrelsome collection of men, at each other’s throats over the burning question of independence from Great Britain. John Adams, the passionate crusader for rebellion, races against time: if the congress does not agree to throw off the yoke of tyranny, General Washington’s painfully outnumbered army will have no ideal for which to fight. But Adams is obnoxious and disliked -- no one will listen to his arguments. They might have a chance if Thomas Jefferson, that silver wordsmith, would write a Declaration -- but Jefferson, frustrated by his long absence from lovely wife Martha, is in no mood to be creative. And when it comes down to a final decision, the course of history hangs on whether sycophantic Judge James Wilson can remain as anonymous as possible with his vote….. Under these conditions, how will America ever achieve Independence? Peter Stone and Sherman Edwards’ 1776 is a brilliant imagining of American history, a grand tale which manages to feel both intimate and epic at once, bringing humor and humanity to the account of twenty men, three months, and one incredible argument, in which the fate of nations is decided. The score features such famous tunes as the romantic “He Plays the Violin,” the comedic “The Lees of Old Virginia,” and that plaintive memorial to young patriots, “Momma, Look Sharp.”
Show Information
- Book
- Peter Stone
- Music
- Sherman Edwards
- Lyrics
- Sherman Edwards
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Youth (Y)/General Audiences (G)
- Number of Acts
- 1
- First Produced
- 1969
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy, Historical/Biographical
- Settings
- Period, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- summer, 1776, philadelphia, pennsylvania
- Cast Size
- large
- Orchestra Size
- Large
- Dancing
- Musical Staging
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- Community Theatre, High School, Large Cast, Mostly Male Cast, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult, Late Teen, Early Teen Characters
Context
Although it was ultimately well-received by critics and audiences alike, 1776 was a long time in the making. Composer and lyricist Sherman Edwards pitched the initial concept for the musical for years before its 1969 premiere. Initially, Edwards found it difficult to find collaborators who believed in the necessity of telling a story about the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Edwards eventually connected with the legendary Stuart Ostrow, a seasoned Broadway
to read the context for 1776 and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Plot
May 8, 1776. It is a sweltering day in Philadelphia and the Second Continental Congress is in session. John Adams, the Massachusetts representative, outlines his grievances against King George III and complains that his campaigns for independence are not being acted upon by Congress. He pushes for a vote but the other delegates are already annoyed by his arguments and demand that he be quiet (“Sit Down, John”). Adams is frustrated that the delegates have achieved nothing so far, even though
to read the plot for 1776 and to unlock other amazing theatre resources!Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
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Lead |
Male |
Baritone, Bass |
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Lead |
Male |
Baritone |
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Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
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Supporting |
Male |
Baritone, Bass |
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Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
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Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
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Supporting |
Male |
Spoken |
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Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
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Supporting |
Female |
Mezzo-Soprano |
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Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
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|
Supporting |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Baritone |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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Featured |
Male |
Tenor |
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Featured |
Male |
Spoken |
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|
Featured |
Male |
Silent |
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|
Ensemble |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass |
Songs
Act One
- Sit Down, John - John Adams and the Congress
- Piddle, Twiddle, and Resolve - Adams
- Till Then - John and Abigail Adams
- The Lees of Old Virginia - Lee, Franklin, and Adams
- But, Mr Adams - Adams, Franklin, Jefferson, Sherman, and Livingston
- Yours, Yours, Yours, - John and Abigail Adams
- He Plays the Violin - Martha Jefferson, Franklin, and Adams
- * Cool, Cool, Considerate Men - Dickinson and the Conservatives
- Momma, Look Sharp -- Courier, McNair, and Leather Apron
- The Egg - Franklin, Adams, and Jefferson
- Molasses to Rum - Rutledge
- Reprise: Yours, Yours, Yours - Abigail Adams
- Is Anybody There? - Adams
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
The revolt of the American colonies against Great Britain, beginning in 1775 with the Battles of Lexington and Concord and ending at Yorktown in 1781.
A group of musicians, actors, or dancers who perform together.
The alignment of a historical event in the past with current reality in order to comment on contemporary life.
A genre of play that is based on the narrative of true historical events and people, often considered a subgenre of tragedy.
References a singer who has what has been considered a more classical approach to singing.
The script of the musical, separate from the musical orchestrations.
A restaging of a stage production after its original run has closed.
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