By Doug Iden
1776 explores the political difficulty of establishing a new American country while freeing itself from England, and is now playing live at the Incline Theater.
Plot and Characters
All but a few characters in this 26-actor historical musical represent real people. Frustrated by an inept Congress “twiddling” while war is raging with England, Massachusetts representative John Adams (Josh Stothfang) repeatedly advocates for independence to no avail. With the assistance of Benjamin Franklin (John Dorney), they convince Virginian Richard Henry Lee (Joseph O’Hair) to obtain a state resolution to break the deadlock. Lee succeeds and the real debate over independence begins.
The Congress is split with roughly half in favor and half against. Leading the opposition is Loyalist and businessman John Dickinson of Pennsylvania (Ryan Poole) who questions, among other things, whether a ragtag American army can defeat the might of Great Britian. A vote on independency hits a snag when it is agreed that the vote must be unanimous among the colonies. Doomed to failure, Adams requests that a resolution be drafted and a committee is created consisting of Adams, Franklin, Thomas Jefferson (Tyler Owens Parsons), Robert Livingston (Jake Schaub) and Roger Sherman (Griffin Hatfield).
After a musical debate (“But, Mr. Adams”), Jefferson is chosen to write a document outlining their rationale for independence, although he pines for his wife Martha (Franny Bell). Once the resolution is written, the hard-core debate begins. Overall the acting is very good yet it is difficult to acknowledge everyone with this big a cast.
Themes
The overarching theme is the colonies struggle for freedom from England. However, woven within that, are desires to remain as Englishmen, commerce concerns about splitting with a formidable trading partner and the question of slavery which was the bulwark of the South’s economy. The despair of long separations of spouses is explored between John Adams and Abigail (Delaney O’Toole) and the Jeffersons. Finally, there is the difficulty of achieving a common goal and a major compromise by serious, honorable and well-intentioned men with very different opinions.
Musical Numbers
The opening song, “Sit Down, John”, sets the mood and tone of the story while introducing many of the characters. We hear Adam’s exasperation with a Congress that despises him and the overall frustration with “filthy, fetid Philadelphia”. John longs for solace from his beloved Abigail by correspondence in the duet “Till Then” followed later by “Yours, Yours, Yours.” In the pivotal, comic song “The Lees of Virginia,” O’Hair promises to get Virginia’s backing immediate(Lee).
To convince the lovelorn Jefferson to write the declaration, Adams invites his wife to Philadelphia. She describes life with Tom as “He Plays his Violin.” In a realistic view of the horror of war, a Courier (Phoenix Bills) describes the deaths of comrades to clerk Andrew McNair (Wayne Kirsch) and a fictional character (Cassidy Steele) with “Momma, Look Sharp.”
A highlight is Christopher Wells as South Carolinian Edward Rutledge who demands that the slavery clause be eliminated and denounces the hypocrisy of the North in “Molasses to Rum to Slaves.” The vocalizations by all of the cast are superb, with particular credit to Stothfang, Wells, O’Toole, O’Hair and Bills. Music director Michael Kennedy’s pre-recorded instrumentals are excellent. There is little dancing but Choreographer Jennifer Perrino designed a minuet in limited physical space for the “Cool, Cool, Considerate Men” and the “Violin” number.
Production and Creatives
Director Tim Perrino has managed the large cast very well with excellent timing. Characters not directly involved with the main action move and pretend to converse without disrupting the scene– which is very effective.
Brett Bowling’s set design features the Congress with John Hancock’s (Jamie Steele) desk in the center and some tables and benches for others. There is balcony where some action takes place. It also features a large calendar which shows the changing dates and a picture of George Washington which is lit each time the courier delivers a dispatch outlining the ongoing war effort. A major feature is the voting board with blocks which lists all the colonies and their Yea or Nay vote. Thus, the audience can keep score as the voting activity takes place. Lighting by Denny Reed adds to the mood with a flood of blood red backing the “Molasses to Rum” number, spots dramatize the John/Abigil relationship and patriotic colors reflect on the screen.
Costuming by June Hill and her team is all 18th century garb with coats, shirts, ascots, breaches and appropriate shoes. Other males wear working class garb. Martha Jefferson wears a sumptuous dress fitting for her wealth while Abigail appears in a less expensive outfit. Many of the men sport a dizzying variety of wigs by Jenny Herdon.
As each of the men sign the declaration, their (actual) signatures appear on a screen above the balcony. This is the best effect and punctuates the finale.
Overall a Solid Production
I admit a bias because this is one of my favorite musicals which means that I expect a lot from the production. This company has met my expectations with a good mix of acting, singing staging and theatricality. It is a solid Happy Birthday to America. So, grab your 13-starred flag and march down to the Incline Theater to celebrate 1776.
Tickets to 1776 are available HERE or by calling 513-241-6550. 1776 runs May 27 – June 21, 2026. Performance are Wednesday through Sundays at the Warsaw Federal Incline Theatre, 801 Matson Place, Cincinnati, OH, 45204.
Coming up next at the Incline is Always Patsy Cline, July 8 – August 2.
