Director’s Note:
The American Revolution is unique. Most revolutions find their origins in the peasantry. The American Revolution began with a group of wealthy landowners. Like most revolutions, it started with a small group of malcontents whose spirit and passion eventually spread throughout the would-be nation. These men had a lot to lose… their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. By drafting the Declaration of Independence, they assumed a tremendous risk for an incalculable benefit. We continue to enjoy that hard-won benefit, our freedom, over two centuries later, and we owe it to our nation’s founders to never take it for granted.
Unlike many history books, the musical "1776" is unafraid to explore the human side of our founding fathers. Contrary to what Ben Franklin says at the end of the play, American history often DOES treat these men like demigods. But the 1776 script has the audacity to uncover many realities that were present in our nation’s formers: the bawdiness of Benjamin Franklin, the grumpy personality of John Adams, the inner turmoil of Thomas Jefferson with regard to the issue of slavery, and the lack of support from the conservative John Dickinson and Edward Rutledge.
We were about two weeks into our rehearsal schedule when someone pointed out to me that opening night for "1776" was 9/11. Embarrassed by not having realized this fact sooner, I appreciated how fitting and entirely coincidental this was. The outpouring of post-9/11 patriotism emerged from an invasion of our homeland by foreign invaders, a senseless destruction of life and property, and a realization that freedom and security are indeed fragile items. Although occupying a different place in our history, colonial Americans experienced similar patriotic emotions after similar tragedies befell them.
I hope our performance of "1776" brings an awareness of your own patriotism and appreciation for our American freedoms. I thank the many, many people who brought this production to life: the cast, pit orchestra, tech crew, costumers, set builders, painters, prop providers, e-bay shoppers, bell forgers, historical advisors, Jill (who kept this show organized), and Jennifer (who keeps my life organized).