You Say You Want a Revolution? 1776 to Play Ford’s Theatre in D.C.

Ford’s Theatre in Washington, D.C. will present a new production of the musical 1776, beginning in March.

With music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and a book by Peter Stone, 1776 recounts the historic and dramatic drafting of the Declaration of Independence in Philadelphia by the members of the Continental Congress. The show was the recipient of three 1969 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and received a faithful film version that featured many members of the original Broadway cast.

At Ford’s Theatre, Lewis Cleale (Amour) will star as John Adams, the obnoxious and disliked chief proponent of American independence. His wise and witty conspirator, Benjamin Franklin, will be played by David Huddleston (seen in the Broadway revival of 1776). Thomas Jefferson, the lovelorn Virginian who writes his way into history, will be played by James Ludwig (Ford’s Theatre’s Kudzu). Anne Kanengeiser (Eleanor at Ford’s Theatre) will be Abigail Adams, and Kate Baldwin (Broadway’s Thoroughly Modern Millie and The Full Monty) will be Martha Jefferson.

The other cast members are Steven Crossley (Stephen Hopkins), Matthew R. Jones (Colonel Thomas McKean), Trent
Blanton (Edward Rutledge), Graham Rowat (Richard Henry Lee), Mark Aldrich (Roger Sherman), Jim Beard (Samuel Chase), Christopher Bloch (Andrew McNair), Scott Evans, (Joseph Hewes), Michael L. Forrest (John Dickinson), Stephen F. Schmidt (Robert Livingston), Christopher Alessi (Reverend Jonathan Witherspoon), Daniel Fenton (George Read), Bill Largess (Caesar Rodney), Buzz Mauro (Charles Thomson), Chris Peluso (Courier), Frank Robinson, Jr. (James
Wilson), Jim Scopeletis (Lewis Morris), Thomas Adrian Simpson (Dr. Lyman Hall), Franklin Trapp (Dr. Josiah Bartlett), John Leslie Wolfe (John Hancock), and Johanna Aldrich and Ryan Duncan (understudies).

Helen Hayes Award winner David H. Bell (A Christmas Carol, The Hot Mikado) will direct the production. Costumes, lights, and sets will be designed by Mariann Verheyen, Diane Ferry Williams, and James Joy, respectively. Michael Rice will serve as musical director.

Tickets are available at $29-$45. For information, phone 202-347-4833 or visit the website www.fordstheatre.org.