By E.J. Gardiner
The founding fathers have gotten lots of bad press lately, being accused of racism, sexism, elitism, and other high crimes. With all this, it’s hard to remember that the founders were flawed but impressive men – intelligent, well meaning, and ultimately brave.
The Hillbarn Theatre’s production of the delightful musical “1176,” with book by Peter Stone and music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards, gives us a view—reverent and irreverent – of the members of the Second Continental Congress as they face the issue of American independence in the summer of 1776.
Some are all for revolution. It’s up to John Adams (Kevin Vermillion) and Benjamin Franklin (Jack Ramage) to convince others. Those hanging back are hostile, hesitant or skeptical, especially after hearing General George Washington’s dismal dispatches from the front lines. Before Adams and Franklin can succeed, they must coerce Thomas Jefferson (Alan Phinney) into writing a Declaration that moves the superb voices.
And the acting lives up to the singing. Vermillion achieves both the prickly side of Adams and the poignant side shown in duets wit h wife Abigail (Glenna Digiacinto). As Franklin, Ramage sometimes stumbles over his lines, but looks and sounds much like the creator of “Poor Richard” and the Franklin stove should. And Phinney’s Jefferson is both diffident and ardent – a tough combination for an actor, but he carries it off.
The hostile are represented by John Dickinson (the imposing Russ Bohard). The hesitant include Lyman Hal (Paul Melville), while Edward Rutledge (Andrew Solovay) speaks for the skeptical. Them and their conservative counterparts perform “Cool, Cool, Considerate Men,” a “minuet” that’s a perfect expression of their position and beautifully staged and executed.
One huge stumbling block is the issue of slavery. Adams and Jefferson advocate for independence for the slaves, but Jefferson’s fellow southerners demand that the offending clause be excised. Stone and Edwards’ hereto sage, Stone and Edwards’ skillfully foreshadow the Civil War.
Abigail Adams once admonished John to “remember the ladies” when claiming inalienable rights. They forgot. But Stone and Edwards don’t totally forget, giving us brief but significant appearances by Martha Jefferson (Mary Moore) and Abigail. Moore and Digiacinto have superb voices and presence, but Moores has difficulty projecting her voice. She and the other cast members are hindered – but not defeated—by an orchestra that has severe problems in the brass section.
This witty musical, presented by an appealing and accomplished cast, delivers a riveting, suspenseful story. For those of you who think history is always boring- think again.
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