54 Sings 1776

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54 Sings 1776

54 Below, NYC, July 4, 2015

Reviewed by Joel Benjamin for Cabaret Scenes

54-sings-1776-Cabaret-Scenes-Magazine_212What could be better than seeing that brilliant classic musical, 1776, on July 4th? The show about the Declaration of Independence… on July 4th?! This condensed version—music only—part of the extraordinary 54 Sings series, was hosted by Rob Maitner whose droll comments—and fine singing—kept the show rolling along.

After a brisk instrumental march, the cast members let forth with “Sit Down, John,” sung amidst the audience, their voices booming from all corners of the room.

The “John” they were referring to is John Adams, played by Michael McCormick, whose wry demeanor melted movingly when he sang “Yours, Yours, Yours,” his epistolary song with his wife, Abigail, played by the luscious Lucia Spina (who also directed this staging). McCormick, a 1776 veteran, anchored the show with his strong characterization.

Maitner connected the songs with fascinating bits about all the ups and downs of the creation of the show by Sherman Edwards (music & lyrics) and Peter Stone (libretto)—including historical inaccuracies (many)—and the creators’ inspirations such as the actual letters of the John and Abigail. Maitner also played Robert Livingston, joining McCormick, Daniel Marcus (a handsomely acted Ben Franklin), Patrick Mellen (making a solid impression as Roger Sherman) and the tall Michael Halling (a smooth-voiced, charismatic Jefferson) in “But, Mr. Adams,” in which Jefferson winds up “volunteering” to apply his particular literary talents to the creation of the Declaration. They handled all the tricky vamps and harmonies expertly.

As Martha Jefferson, the lovely Kathleen Montelone performed a sassy “He Plays the Violin,” the double-entendre paean to her husband’s romantic prowess. Jacob Hoffman as the Courier gave “Momma Look Sharp,” that touching song about the true toll of battle, a glowing reading, his youthful appearance adding to the poignancy. The always terrific Brian Charles Rooney stopped the show with his powerfully acted and sung “Molasses to Rum,” indicting a wide swath of Americans for their involvement in the tragic slave trade. Andrew Samonsky somehow made the comically egotistical Richard Henry Lee sexy in “The Lees of Old Virginia.” Paul Michael Valley (as John Dickinson) led the conservative contingent of the Continental Congress in “Cool, Cool Considerate Men,” a civilized minuet with acid consequence. The cast was completed by David Alan Marshall as Charles Thomson and Adam Shapiro as Samuel Chase, both consummate professionals.

The band was cleverly led by Musical Director Jacob Yates who played both the piano and the cello. Adam DeGroot (clarinets), Elliot Lane (violin, which added piquancy to “He Plays the Violin”), Alexander Pons (English horn/oboe/flute), Shane Jones (percussion) and David Alan Marshall (trumpet and, interestingly, singer) all produced a richly textured rendering of the score.

Joel Benjamin

A native New Yorker, Joel was always fascinated by musical theater. Luckily, he was able to be a part of seven Broadway musicals before the age of 14, quitting to pursue a pre-med degree, which led no where except back to performing in the guise of directing a touring ballet troupe. Always interested in writing, he wrote a short play in high school that was actually performed, leading to a hiatus of nearly 40 years before he returned to writing as a reviewer. Writing for Cabaret Scenes has kept him in touch with world filled with brilliance.