1776's Own Brand of Patriotism
Was Ben Franklin a playa, and Thomas Jefferson a great lover? Was the route to independence from Britain wrought with as much inner political wrangling as any of today’s Congressional machinations? Should our national bird really have been the turkey?
1776, Keegan Theater's take on one of America’s most clever and underrated musicals, attempts to answer these questions through vividly imagined depictions of our founding fathers, and smart, lyrical songs; you have to love a rhyme like “I don’t’ know a participle from a predicate” with “I am just a simple cobbler from Connecticut.” The show focuses on the final days before the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Our fine delegates are frustrated with British tyranny, for sure, but many aren’t convinced taking such a dramatic step as declaring independence is wise, or even safe. Even worse, the loudest voice crying for independence, John Adams, isn’t the most popular guy in the Congress. It will take a promising wordsmith, a change in George Washington’s military fortune and a great deal of internal compromise before John Hancock’s signature becomes one of the nation’s most famous.
Keegan Theater has assembled a fine group of singers to rival any of those that specialize in more musical productions, such as Signature, would bring together. Even minor parts, such as the ever-abstaining Robert Livingston of New York, are given heft with actors like Chris Borton offering a rich tenor and fine stage presence. Another standout is Doug Wilder as the optimistic Richard Henry Lee of Virginia, who totally sells the appealing “The Lees of Old Virginia”. Carolyn Agan, instantly crush-worthy, is perfectly cast as Thomas Jefferson’s enviable wife Martha, offering a starry-eyed take on her husband’s attributes with “He Plays the Violin”.
What traditionally is the heart of 1776 is the pure love story between John and Abigail Adams, but here it is the show’s weakest point. Mich Tinder’s John Adams plays up the pestering nature of his character rather than his idealistic outlook, so he has to work twice as hard to win us over. When he and his real-life wife, Patricia Tinder, share the stage, however, he doesn’t muster the warmth necessary to overcome Adams’ bristling effect. Mrs. Tinder, for her part, seems a bit out of her league vocally.
Director Mark Rhea’s 1776 offers a detailed set and fine, colorful continental costumes that underscore the ambitiousness of the production. Their spirited take is worth seeing, especially for reminding us of this intelligent work with its own brand of patriotism, one that awards dignity and consideration to opposing but compelling points of view.
1776 runs through Independence Day at Church Street Theater. Tickets are available online.