1776 the Musical: May 7 – 17, 2026
Directed by Will Knappen
Abrams Spotlight Productions is celebrating the 250th birthday of our nation with 1776 the Musical, a bold, witty, and powerful musical that brings the signing of the Declaration of Independence to life. With sharp dialogue, rousing music, and moments of humor and heart, 1776 follows the debates, compromises, and larger-than-life personalities of America’s founding fathers as they struggle to unite thirteen colonies into one nation.
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.”
Who’s Who? The Cast of 1776
- John Hancock: (Mike Eserkaln)
- President of the 1776 Continental Congress, John Hancock, put the first and largest signature on the Declaration of Independence.
- Dr. Josiah Bartlett: (Brian Kohls)
- A New Hampshire delegate. Dr. Josiah Bartlett sides in favor of independence.
- John Adams: (Matt Worzala)
- A Massachusetts delegate, John Adams is the leading voice for separation from England and the Declaration of Independence. Unfortunately his tendency toward fiery rhetoric makes him generally disliked by other Congress members.
- Stephen Hopkins: (David Jolly)
- A Rhode Island delegate, Stephen Hopkins is given to indulgence in alcoholic beverages.
- Roger Sherman: (Mary Spencer)
- A Connecticut delegate, Roger Sherman sides in favor of independence and is on the committee to write the Declaration.
- Lewis Morris: (Julie Johannes-Frohliger)
- A New York delegate, Lewis Morris abstains from the original vote.
- Robert Livingston: (Ryan Hibbard)
- A New York delegate, Robert Livingston is a member of the committee assigned to write the Declaration.
- Reverend John Witherspoon: (Maggie Monte-Knaapen)
- A New Jersey delegate, the Reverend John Witherspoon, argues for, and wins, the inclusion of the Supreme Being in the Declaration.
- Benjamin Franklin: (Drew Pamperin)
- A Pennsylvania delegate, Benjamin Franklin is urbane and coolheaded. His logic often prevails where the emotions of other fail. He and Adams lead the charge for independence.
- John Dickinson: (Ariana Gibeault)
- A Pennsylvania delegate, John Dickinson leads a group of Congress members who favor petitioning King George III with their grievances rather than declaring independence from England.
- James Wilson: (Julie Johannes-Frohliger)
- A Pennsylvania delegate, James Wilson casts the final vote to approve the Declaration, not because of his own belief in the cause, but because he does not want to be remembered in history as “the man who prevented American independence.”
- Caesar Rodney: (David Retzlaff)
- A Delaware delegate, Caesar Rodney works hard for independence, despite the fact that he is suffering from skin cancer.
- Colonel Thomas McKean: (Maggie Dernehl)
- A Delaware delegate, Colonel Thomas McKean is Scottish and very vocal.
- George Read: (Rolean Wernicke)
- A Delaware delegate, George Read is opposed to independence and sides with Dickinson.
- Samuel Chase: (Xander Birschbach)
- A Maryland delegate, Samuel Chase always seems to be eating and is portly. He initially sides with Dickinson.
- Richard Henry Lee: (Dan Potvin)
- A Virginia delegate, Richard Henry Lee is selected to make the argument for independence to the Congress, as Adams is having little luck.
- Thomas Jefferson: (Bobby Buffington)
- A Virginia delegate, Thomas Jefferson, in spite of his many protests, is selected to pen the Declaration of Independence.
- Joseph Hewes: (Mark Wernicke)
- A North Carolina delegate, Joseph Hewes sides with Rutledge on the slavery issue, demanding the Declaration allow slavery.
- Edward Rutledge: (Will Knaapen)
- A South Carolina delegate, Edward Rutledge is opposed to the Declaration of Independence because of his passionate opposition to the document’s call for an end to slavery.
- Dr. Lyman Hall: (Brian Prestley)
- A Georgia delegate, Dr. Lyman Hall initially sides with Dickinson.
- Charles Thompson: (Allison Carter)
- The secretary of the Congress.
- Andrew McNair: (Kelsey Steeno)
- The custodian and bell-ringer
- Abigail Adams: (Maggie Monte-Knaapen)
- Wife of John Adams, her communications with John tell some of the story of the Declaration and much of the story of her and John’s love and life.
- Martha Jefferson: (Julie Johannes-Frohliger)
- The young and beautiful wife of Thomas Jefferson, Martha Jefferson is brought to Philadelphia to help dispel Jefferson’s writer’s block.
- Leather Apron: (Dan Potvin)
- MacNair’s assistant
- Painter: (Xander Birschbach)
- Courier: (Ellie Finger)
Featured Roles:
Ensemble:
Congratulations to the entire cast—we can’t wait to see you shine on stage this holiday season!
