1776 (musical)
1776 is the title of a
1969 Broadway musical and its
1972 film adaptation.
Peter Stone wrote its book and
Sherman Edwards its music and lyrics.
Peter H. Hunt directed both the original Broadway production and the movie.
The original Broadway production of
1776 opened on
March 16,
1969 at the 46th Street Theatre (now the
Richard Rodgers Theatre) and closed on
February 13,
1972 after 1217 performances. In its three year run, it would play in three different theatres: the 46th Street, the
St. James Theatre (1970) and, finally, the
Majestic Theatre (1971).
The show was lauded at the 1969 Tony Awards, where it was nominated for five awards and won three: Best Musical; Best Featured Actor in a Musical (for
Ronald Holgate as
Richard Henry Lee), and Best Direction of a Musical. It was also nominated for the
Tony Awards for Best Featured Actress in a Musical (for
Virginia Vestoff as
Abigail Adams) and for Best Scenic Design.
William Daniels was ruled ineligible for the Best Actor nomination because his name was not billed above the title of the show; he refused a nomination for Best Featured Actor.
1776 also won the 1969
Theatre World Award and two
Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Book and Outstanding Costume Design.
Many members of the original Broadway cast reprised their roles for the film. Both the stage version and the movie feature
William Daniels as
John Adams,
Ken Howard as
Thomas Jefferson, and
Howard Da Silva as
Benjamin Franklin. (Rex Everhart replaced Da Silva on the original
Broadway cast album after Da Silva suffered a mild heart attack which required him to leave the show temporarily.)
Betty Buckley played
Martha Jefferson in the original stage production, while that role featured
Blythe Danner in the film.
1776 was revived by the
Roundabout Theatre Company in 1997, with
Brent Spiner as Adams,
Michael Cumpsty as Dickinson,
Pat Hingle as Franklin, and
Paul Michael Vallee as Jefferson. It played a limited engagement at the Roundabout's home theatre, the
Criterion Center, before transferring to the
Gershwin Theatre for a commercial run.
The revival was nominated for the
Tony Awards for Best Revival of a Musical, Best Direction of a Musical and Best Featured Actor in a Musical (for
Gregg Edelman as
Edward Rutledge). Edelman won a 1998
Drama Desk Award for his work as Rutledge; the show also received Drama Desk nominations for Outstanding Revival, Outstanding Direction (Ellis) and Outstanding Actor (Spiner).
Although it tells the story of what happened at the
Continental Congress in
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in
1776 leading up to the signing of the
United States Declaration of Independence, and it accurately portrays the serious personal and political issues at stake it remains a musical comedy. The play has often been criticized for straining too hard for historical accuracy instead of exercising literary license when that would help the plot or presentation along.
Scene One
May 8, 1776. Philadelphia. As the
Second Continental Congress proceeds with its business, the weather becomes increasingly hot, humid and as unbearable as the irascible Delegate of
Massachusetts,
John Adams. Each of his proposals on independency have not even been given "the courtesy of open debate." The other delegates, sickened of his constant arguing, implore him,
Sit Down, John. Adams complains that Congress has done nothing in the year-and-a-half in which they've been convened but to
Piddle, Twiddle and Resolve. Angered at the latest debate regarding the merits of compensation regarding a dead mule, Adams flees the chamber and reads the latest missive from his darling
Abigail, whom he has conjured as a figment of his imagination. She asks that he simply "tell the Congress to declare Independency, then sign your name, get out of there, and hurry home to me." He asks if she's succeeded in his charge to make
saltpeter, and she responds by telling him that not only has he neglected to tell them how saltpetre is made, that the women have no intention of doing so until they receive straight pins.
Till Then, they pledge their love to each other and Abigail disappears. The delegates tell him, again, to sit down and shut up, and he goes of in search of
Dr. Benjamin Franklin.
Scene Two
Adams angrily finds Franklin sitting for his portrait ("The man's no
Botticelli." "And the subject's no
Venus."); in the movie portrayal, this is somewhere on the grounds of
Carpenter's Hall. Adams bemoans the failure of his arguments for Independence, and Franklin reminds him that no colony has ever attempted to break away from its parent country before. He explains that Adams is obnoxious and disliked by the members of Congress, and, perhaps the resolution would have more success if proposed by someone else â€" someone neither obnoxious nor disliked.
Richard Henry Lee, delegate from Virginia, enters. Lee explains that, by the simple heritage of his good name of
The Lees of Old Virginia, he is the best man for the job.
Scene Three
June 7, 1776. A new delegate from
Georgia,
Dr. Lyman Hall, enters the Congressional Chamber and is greeted by McNair, the Congressional Custodian. He is introduced to the entering delegates, each of whom enquire of Georgia's stance on Independence. He evades an answer as Franklin and Adams return to the chamber. Adams, who has been uncharacteristically silent while waiting for Lee's return with his
resolution from the
House of Burgesses, is teased by the other delegates.
John Hancock, President of the Congress, and
Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Congress, take their respective places. Hancock gavels the 380th meeting of the Congress to order.
Before introducing Hall to the rest of the delegates, Hancock's first order of business is to shut off the store of rum to the delegate from
Rhode Island,
Stephen Hopkins. Thomson notes that all members of Congress are accounted for save the
New Jersey delegation. ("Where is New Jersey?" "Somewhere between New York and Pennsylvania.") Hancock asks Franklin if he knows the reason for their continued absence, as his son, William, is the Royal Governor. Franklin somewhat evasively informs the Congress that he and his son are not in touch at the present time -- likely due to the fact that William Franklin was loyal to the British Crown and his father was not. He announces that it is 87 "very humid degrees", and Jefferson announces that he is leaving for Virgina that night.
Thomson receives a communiqué from
George Washington, the Commander of the Army of the United Colonies. Washington fears that his exhausted and under-equipped troops will be ineffective at stopping a large force of British soldiers from attacking New York, a move that would separate New England from the other colonies.
Colonel Thomas McKean of
Delaware grumbles that Washington's letters are always gloomy and depressing. Hancock opens the floor to new resolutions, and as
Josiah Bartlett of
New Hampshire is reading a resolution discouraging extravagance, Richard Henry Lee lavishly canters into the chamber. Lee reads his resolution into the record and it is
seconded by Adams.
Hancock calls for debate on the resolution, and
John Dickinson of
Pennsylvania moves to indefinitely postpone the question of Independence.
George Read, also of Delaware, seconds the motion and the Congress votes on Dickinson's motion.
New York abstains, New Hampshire, Massachusetts,
Connecticut, Delaware, and Virginia vote to open debate, while Pennsylvania,
North Carolina,
South Carolina,
Maryland, and Georgia vote for postponement, leaving the deciding vote to Stephen Hopkins of Rhode Island, who is "in the necessary". ("Rhode Island passes.") He returns in time to vote in favor of debate, stating that he'd "never seen, heard, nor smelled an issue that was so dangerous it couldn't be talked about."
The most vocal of the delegates state their postions: Dickinson is against revolt and rebellion, but in favor of petitioning
King George on their grievances. Adams and Franklin argue that the colonists have not been granted the full rights of Englishmen (Franklin: "Nor would I [object to being called an Englishman], were I given the full rights of an Englishman. But to call me one without those rights is like calling an ox a bull. He's thankful for the honor, but he'd much rather have restored what's rightfully his." Dickinson: "When did you first notice them missing, sir?") and that it is too late for reconciliation â€" a year has passed since the
Battles of Lexington and Concord. The Carolina delegates are worried that the rights of the individual states would be subsumed by a strong
federation.
As the argument between the delegates grows more heated, Adams and Dickinson begin to insult each other personally and violence threatens to break out.
Caesar Rodney of Delaware breaks up the fight, but collapes and it is revealed he has cancer. Col. McKean offers to take him back home. This leaves the Delaware delegation with only one man present, George Read, and he is not in favor of independence.
Edward Rutledge of South Carolina sees the majority swinging in his favor and moves to vote on Independence. Franklin seeks to stall the motion, and asks that the resolution be read aloud again. As Mr. Thomson is reading it, the New Jersey delegation arrives, led by
Rev. John Witherspoon. He informs the Congress that he has been instructed to vote in favor of Independence. The vote is now six for Independence and six against (with New York's usual abstention), and Adams reminds Hancock of his duty as President to break all ties. Seeing that the resolution might pass, Dickinson moves that any vote for Independence must pass
unanimously. His motion is seconded, and the vote produces the same tie, which Hancock breaks by voting for unanimity.
The vote for Independence is called again, and Adams calls for a postponement (much to the irritation of Mr. Thomas, who has now made four unsuccessful attempts to call the vote). He expresses the need for time to compose some sort of declaration defining the reasons for Independence. The motion is seconded; during the debate, Jefferson breaks his silence in favor of a declaration "to place before mankind the common sense of the subject, in terms so plain and firm as to command their assent." The vote is called, producing yet another tie, with New York abstaining, again. Hancock breaks the tie by voting in favor of postponement, choosing Adams, Franklin, Lee,
Roger Sherman of Connecticut, and
Robert Livingston of New York to draft the
Declaration. Hancock announces that it must be written, debated, and passed by the beginning of July â€" a mere three weeks away. Lee declines and Hancock, almost as an afterthought, appoints Jefferson in his place. Hancock adjourns the session as Jefferson complains that he must go home to his wife.
The
Committee of Five argues about on whom the task of writing the Declaration should devolve (
But, Mr. Adams). Franklin suggests that Adams write it, but he declines, reminding Franklin that he is "obnoxious and disliked" and that anything he writes is bound to be rejected by the other delegates ("they'll run their quill pens through it"). Adams suggests Franklin, as he is an accomplished writer and printer. Franklin argues "The things I write are only light extemporanea. I won't put politics on paper; it's a mania. So, I refuse to use the pen in Pennsylvania." Adams turns to Sherman who claims that he's not a writer at all, declaring "I do not know a participle from a predicate; I'm just a simple cobbler from Connecticut." Livingston, in turn, declines, as he must return to New York to celebrate the birth of his son. Adams finally turns to Jefferson ("Mr. Adams, LEAVE ME ALONE!"), praises his writing, and quotes a passage of
The Necessity for Taking Up Arms ("Brilliant"), saying "For a man of only thirty-three years, you possess a happy talent of composition and a remarkable felicity of expression." Jefferson still tries to decline ("But I burn, Mr. A." "So do I, Mr. J."), and Adams threatens him with physical force, thrusting the quill into his hand. The other four leave as Jefferson skulks back to his quarters with his pen.
Scene Four
A week later. Adams and Franklin visit Jefferson to check on his progress to find that there has, in fact, been none. Jefferson has spent the week moping and lovelorn, but is brightened when his beloved
Martha enters. Adams has sent for her, and the two older gentlemen leave them alone.
Adams, alone, again exchanges letters with his wife, Abigail; she wonders why he hasn't sent for her. He asks her to come to Philadelphia, and she declines, citing her responsibilties to their sick children and failing farm. They pledge each other to be eternally
Yours, Yours, Yours.
Martha finally opens the shutters when Franklin and Adams return the next morning, and the two gentlemen ask her how a man as silent as Jefferson won a woman as lovely as she. She tells them that she loves him because
He Plays the Violin. The three of them dance, and Jefferson enters to return Martha back to his loft. Franklin and Adams hail the stateliness of the fiddler in a reprise of
He Plays the Violin.
Scene Five
June 22, 1776. Congress has reconvened. Delegates read, talk, eat, and sleep in the chamber as various committees are called to deal with Congressional correspondence, counterfeit money, military defeat in
Canada, and intrigue. Another letter is received from General Washington. He reports that the troops are in a sad state, afflicted with venereal disease and alcoholism. He implores the Congress to send a War Committee to New Jersey to boost morale. As Adams, Franklin, and
Samuel Chase leave for New Jersey ("Wake up, Franklin! You're going to New Brunswick!" "Like hell I am! What for?" "The whoring and the drinking!"
Franklin quickly stands up and heads for the door.), the delegates in favor of Independence also leave. Alone, and without the Liberals for the first time, Dickinson leads his Conservative colleges in a minuet, singing of their desire to hold onto their wealth and remain
Cool, Cool Considerate Men. (This was cut in several VHS releases of the film.)
The delegates depart, leaving McNair, the courier and a workman in the Chamber. The working class men relax, McNair taking Hancock's chair. The workman asks the courier, who is from Massachusetts, if he's seen any fighting, and the courier replies that his two closest friends were killed on the same day: at
Lexington. He sings the stirring
Momma, Look Sharp, describing the final thoughts of a dying man as his mother searches for his body.
Some Productions take an Intermission after this scene.
Scene Six
Jefferson is outside the chamber as Hancock orders Thomson to read the Declaration. Adams and Franklin enter and congratulate Jefferson on the excellence of the document, and Franklin compares the creation of this new country to
The Egg. This leads the trio to debate which bird is coming out of its shell and, thus, the symbol of America. Jefferson proposes the dove, a symbol of peace. Franklin suggests the turkey, a symbol of independence. The three settle on the eagle, as suggested by Adams.
Scene Seven
June 28, 1776. Hancock asks if there are any amendments, deletions, or alterations to be offered to the Declaration. McKean suggests removal of the word "Scottish" from a sentence referring to the foreign mercenaries used by the British. Rev. Witherspoon suggests the addition of the phrase "Divine Providence". Days pass. The debate becomes more heated. Bartlett wants to confine the complaints against the British to disagreements with King George, while Sherman wants to remove all mention of
Parliament. Jefferson acquiesces to each recommendation, until Dickinson suggests the removal of a phrase calling the king a tyrant. Jefferson refuses, "The King is a tyrant whether we say so or not. We might as well say so."
Hancock is about to call for a vote on the Declaration, when Rutledge objects to Jefferson's denunciation of slavery in his list of redresses. Rutledge defends slavery as a necessary evil in the way of life in South Carolina, and reminds Jefferson that he, too, is a slaveholder. Jefferson announces that he has decided to free his slaves, and Rutledge accuses the Northern Colonies of hyprocisy: the nothern shippers get rich off of the trade of slaves. He reminds them that the process of
Molasses to Rum to slaves is ensuring prosperity for the north. The delegations of North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia angrily leave the chamber. Without them, Independence cannot be declared.
Chase rushes into the Chamber, excited that the Maryland Assembly has decided to accept the Lee Resolution, as Dickinson and his supporters leave the Chamber. Adams is desperate: he sends McKean to Delaware to bring back Rodney. Franklin sagely insists that Adams and Jefferson agree to the removal of the slavery clause from the Declaration. What good is it to win the battle only to lose the war?
Adams refuses, but after he is left alone, he conjures Abigal in his mind and his letters again and pours out his doubts and insecurities to her. She reassures him, quoting from her husband's own letters: "Commitment, Abby -commitment! There are only two creatures of value on the face of this earth: those with a commitment, and those who require the commitment of others." During their exchange, McNair delivers two kegs to the Chamber: Saltpeter from Abigail and the Women of Massachusetts.
Adams' faith in the cause renewed, he tells Franklin and Jefferson to talk to Wilson and Rutledge: they need each and every vote. Thomson reads the latest dispatch from General Washington, who wonders if he's ever to receive a response to his last fifteen missives. They leave Adams alone in the chamber. Adams echoes Washington's words,
Is Anybody There? Discouraged but determined, Adams sings of his vision of his new country: "Yet, through all the gloom, I see the rays of ravishing light and glory!"
Dr. Hall returns to the Chamber. He has been thinking: "In trying to resolve my dilemma I remembered something I'd once read, 'that a representative owes the People not only his industry, but his judgement, and he betrays them if he sacrifices it to their opinion.' It was written by
Edmund Burke, a member of the British Parliament." He walks over to the tally board and changes Georgia's vote from "nay" to "yea".
The other delegates slowly make their way back into the Chamber, including Caesar Rodney. Hancock calls for the vote on the Lee Resolution. Thomson calls on each delegation for their vote. Pennsylvania passes on the first call, but the rest of the nothern and middle colonies (save New York) vote "yea". When the vote devolves to South Carolina, Rutledge demands the removal of the slavery clause as the condition of the yea votes from the Carolinas. Franklin pleads with Adams to remove the clause, and Adams turns to Jefferson. Jefferson rises, crosses the Chamber, and scratches out the clause himself. The Carolinas vote "yea".
When Pennsylvania's vote is called again, the three delegates, Dickinson, Franklin, and
James Wilson, are unable to agree. Franklin asks Hancock to poll the delegation: Franklin votes "yea", Dickinson "nay", leaving the swing vote to Wilson, who normally voicelessly supports Dickinson. He says, "I'm different from most of the men here. I don't want to be remembered. I don't want to be remembered as the man who prevented American Independence," and votes "yea".
Hancock asks that only men who will be signing the Declaration be seated in Congress. Still hoping for a reconciliation with England, Dickinson announces that he cannot sign the Declaration, but, instead, will join the army to fight for and defend the new nation. Adams leads the Congress in a salute to the man as he leaves the Chamber.
Hancock leads the delegates signing the Declaration, but is interrupted by the courier with another dispatch from Washington. He reports that preparations for the Battle of New York are underway, but expresses concern about America's badly outnumbered and under-trained troops.
On the evening of July 4, 1776, McNair rings the
Liberty Bell in the background as Thomson calls each of the delegates to sign their name to the Declaration of Independence.
* The 1972 film version was marred by controversy as then President
Richard Nixon successfully lobbied his friend, producer
Jack L. Warner, to cut the song "Cool, Considerate Men" from the film release because he believed it to be an attack against the Republican Party. The song was restored in the 2003 DVD release of the film as well as on the earlier
laserdisc release.
* In 2004, the film was banned from exhibition in middle schools in Fairfax County, Virginia because of "sexual innuendo and language." Spokespeople for the school district cited the line in which Jefferson tells Adams that he "burns" for his wife as being inappropriate.
* In its original theatrical and home video releases, the film was rated G for general audiences, but with the restoration of "Cool, Considerate Men" the DVD release was rated PG.
This list is based on the original cast recording listings
#Overture
#Sit Down, John
#Piddle, Twiddle and Resolve / Till Then
#The Lees of Old Virginia
#But, Mr. Adams
#Yours, Yours, Yours
#He Plays the Violin
#Cool, Cool, Considerate Men
#Momma Look Sharp
#The Egg
#Molasses to Rum
#Compliments
#Is Anybody There?
#Finale
* Original Broadway cast (1969), available on LP and CD
* Original London cast (1970), available on LP
* Original motion picture soundtrack (1972), available on LP
* British Studio cast (1970), available on LP (Marble Arch MALS-1327, conducted by Stan Reynolds
* Studio cast (The Ray Bloch Singers) (date unknown), available on LP
* Broadway revival cast (1997), available on CD
*
Film Trailer*
*
A copy of Peter Stone's own comparison between the events and people as they are portrayed in the musical and actual history (PDF file).
* Fan-run site: http://johnadams1776.tripod.com/ Contains all matters of content concerning the musical/movie.
