Jarrod Zimmerman (Edward Rutledge) and the cast of the West Coast premiere of Tony Award-winning director Frank Galati’s triumphant new staging of the musical 1776, now playing at A.C.T.’s Geary Theater through October 6, 2013. Photo by Kevin Berne
1776: A Musical Play. Music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and book Peter Stone.Directed by Frank Galati. American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.), 415 Geary Street, San Francisco. 415.749.2228 or www.act-sf.org September 11 – October 6, 2013.
1776: A mesmerizing musical look at the creation of the Declaration of Independence
A block-buster production of the musical play 1776 opened American Conservatory Theater’s (ACT) 2013-14 season with a superb 26 member cast bringing an entertaining yet realistic look at American history, specifically the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. For this production ACT has imported the brilliant director Frank Galati who helmed its run at the Asolo Repertory Theatre in Florida. He has brought along seven of that cast and integrated them with local talent to create a memorable evening.
In 1969 during 1776’s out-of-town tryouts major changes were made and its 1969 Broadway run was a smashing success earning three Tony Award nominations winning as Best Musical. It starred Williams Daniels, Howard de Silva, Betty Buckley and Ken Howard and ran for 1217 performances. Similar success was attained in its London run and on the road. Although ACT’s staging is listed as a West Coast premiere; Willows Theatre mounted an excellent production in 2000.
The physical action takes place during the Second Continental Congress from May 8 and July 4, 1776 on hot and humid days in the main chamber of the Pennsylvania State house in Philadelphia. Irrepressible, obnoxious and disliked John Adams (John Hickok) of Massachusetts is spearheading a resolution to disavow English rule and seek independence for the 13 colonies. The separate factions and infighting are harbingers of what is happening in our present Congress. The inability to reach any consensus is rather ridiculously apparent when no decision could be made whether to open a window. With the lines drawn between the North and South colonies, John Dickinson of Pennsylvanian (Jeff Parker) posits a resolution that any decision must be unanimous. It is passed.
In an attempt to break the deadlock Benjamin Franklin (Andrew Boyer) proposes that a written document (declaration) would be needed to clarify what independence means. Thomas Jefferson (Brandon Dahlquist) is maneuvered into writing it. Jefferson who misses his bride of six months Martha (Andrea Prestinario) is unable to complete the task. Franklin sends for her and after a night of delight he is able to finish the task.
When the declaration is submitted to the Congress changes are insisted upon and mostly accepted by Jefferson with the exception of the one stating slavery be abolished. Rutledge of South Carolina (Jarrod Zimmerman) being the most vocal in a devastating song with singing “Molasses to Rum” forcefully telling the hypocrisy of the North whose ships bring in the slaves in exchange for the rum trade. Zimmerman controls the stage and received thunderous applause for his scathing satirical presentation.
Although the major characters who individually add great class to this well constructed play, it is a true ensemble performance with the minor characters adding depth to the action. John Hickok’s booming voice is commanding but he has to share accolades with the fore mentioned Jarrod Zimmerman, the avuncular Andrew Boyer, and Jeff Parker who nails the song “Cool, Cool Considerate Man” as he leads the conservatives in a dance.
The only two ladies in the show are absolutely perfect in their rolls. In the sequences between John Adams and his wife Abigail (“Yours, Yours, Yours”), Abby Mueller is a shining gem with a personality to match her flawless voice. Andrea Prestinario as Martha Jefferson in her turn in the spotlight with Hickok and Boyer is sheer delight with “He Plays the Violin.”
The most poignant moment of the evening belongs to the beautiful rendition of “Momma, Look Sharp” sung by Zach Kenny as the courier describing a mother looking for her wounded son on the battlefield.
There is a great deal of necessary humor throughout the play beginning the rousing “Sit Down John” and “Piddle, Twiddle” and continuing to a “battle of canes” between the members of congress. There might be unintentional humor injected into scene 2 when Ryan Drummond as Richard Henry Lee performs an energetic foppish song and dance “The Lees of Old Virginia” as he is off to get a proclamation approving independence from the Governor of Virginia.
Frank Galati’s direction is brilliant utilizing every member of the cast bringing them forward to the step-down apron that covers the hidden ten piece orchestra directed by Michael Rice and back into the framework of Russell Metheny’s set. Add to this are the fantastic costumes created by Mara Blumenfeld.
All in all it is an unforgettable stirring history lesson with a running time of 2 hours and 30 minutes including the 15 minute intermission.
Kedar K. Adour, MD
Courtesy of www.theatreworldinternetmagazine.com
