1776 - The Musical Tickets | Schedule for 2024/2025 Events

1776 - The Musical

Sherman Edwards wrote the music and lyrics for 1776, and Peter Stone wrote the book. It premiered in 1969 and won three Tony Awards. The musical ran for 1217 shows.

In 1972, it was adapted and made into a film. 1776 is based on the events leading to the declaration of Independence Day. It shows the story of John Adams and how he persuaded his colleagues to sign and vote for American independence.

The musical was revived for Broadway in 1997 and again in 2022 with woke concepts and an inclusive cast. However, some critics say that the latest revival hasn’t been able to add much weight to the already strong original. The casting seems to be a highlight rather than its presentation.

History and Casting of the Original

There were a couple of musicals about the American Revolution before 1776. The first was in 1925, titled Dearest Enemy. It had music by Rodgers and Hart.

Arms and the Girl was another musical that premiered in 1950. It had music by Morton Gould, lyrics by Dorothy Fields, and a book by Herbert Fields.

Sherman Edwards was among the top pop songwriters during the 1950s and 60s. He worked for several years to create music for a topic based on the Declaration of Independence.

Producer Stuart Ostrow recommended Edwards to work with librettist Peter Stone to create the musical. They discussed the plot, made some changes, and finalized the concept for 1776. The show was directed by Peter Hunt and premiered at the 46th Street Theatre on March 16, 1969.

The original 1776 musical had William Daniels as John Adams and Howard Da Silva as Benjamin Franklin. It had two acts, though the acts can be merged to create a single act from start to finish.

Most of the action is limited to Independence Hall. There is a debate between the prominent people on who will hold the power to decide the fate of a country and millions of people. The musical had just two female characters, Abigail Adams and Martha Jefferson.

The Columbia Companion to American History on Film said that the musical had a few inaccuracies, some of which were troubling.

After all, the meetings were held in top secrecy, and the proceeds weren't common knowledge. That said, 1776 did bring out the importance and gravity of the situation. Look through our website to learn more about the 1776 musical and its shows.