1776

I don’t know of another musical that does a more effective job of combining entertainment with education than 1776. Conceived by Sherman Edwards, who wrote the music and lyrics, with a book by Peter Stone, this musical play deals with the birth of our nation. It manages to be suspenseful, informative, and surprising. This is a show anyone can enjoy, and most anyone will learn from. Junior/senior high schools should be scheduling field trips to this production. It really brings to life the process by which the colonists declared their independence from England—risking their lives for their beliefs—at a time when the outcome was far from certain, when even George Washington doubted the British could be defeated.

Director Gordon Greenberg and casting director Alison Franck have filled each role with care. The roles are strongly sung, the characters emerge as an individuals with distinct personalities. Vocally, the high point of the show is James Barbour’s hypnotic commentary on the slave trade, “Molasses to Rum”; but Griffin Matthews’ plaintive, honest performance of “Momma, Look Sharp” is almost as potent in a quieter way; and Robert Cuccioli effectively brings a smarmy charm to “Cool, Cool, Considerate Men.” Don Stephenson, in the leading role of John Adams, and Conrad John Schuck as Ben Franklin, are thoroughly likeable. Jamie LaVerdiere has a small role as a mousy, indecisive member of the Continental Congress, but he he handles it as perfectly as one could hope to see it handled. This is a solidly constructed musical play that has not been over-exposed; Paper Mill’s excellent production is a reminder of how valuable this theater is.

(Pictured: Conrad John Schuck, Kevin Earley, and Don Stephenson. Photo by Gerry Goodstein.)

Chip Deffaa
Cabaret Scenes
April 19, 2009
www.cabaretscenes.org