The Paper Mill Playhouse in Millburn is presenting the Sherman Edwards musical 1776 through May 2 and it is a play that will inspire everyone to truly celebrate the nation’s 250s anniversary.
Even more than that, its cast, orchestra and clever set design make it a joyous, happy, educational three hours of sheer entertainment, especially when you already know the story and the ending.
With a cast of 26, representing at least one delegate from of the 13 states two women portraying Abigail Adams and Martha Jefferson, along with Congressional employees and an overwrought Courier, the play tells the story of the last weeks before the Declaration of Independence was signed and the new nation began.
With enthusiasm, perfect dialogue and intense acting, the cast presents the 18th century feuding between Continental Congressmen who are fighting fiercely for the right to be free from England and those equally intense congressmen who look at freedom and independence of a King who ignores his subjects other than to tax them as the right place to stay.
James Moye as John Adams is the leading actor in the play, though he falls short a bit in perfecting the intensity of the real Adams. On the other hand, Michel Burrell’s Thomas Jefferson as the writer of the Declaration comes off a bit stronger than the Southern gentleman he was known to be. Still, both, together with John Treacy Egan as Benjamin Franklin, bring to life for the audience the bravery, brilliance and endurance of our Founding Fathers.
Edwards’ music for 1776 is an electrifying blend of every emotion it presents, from the frustration of his Congressional fight and devoted love for his wife in Adams songs, to the agony felt throughout the audience in the mournful and unforgettable Momma, Look Sharp, sung by the Courier, an indelible Praise Oranika.
However, it’s Alec Ludacka, who portrayed Edward Rutledge of South Carolina, whose strong, deep, vibrant tones make you sit up and take serious notice. Ludacka was listed as an understudy for Jonathan Young, but it’s hard to believe Young could be even better. Hearing Cool, Considerate Men in Ludacka’s deep baritone made you take notice he was correct in challenging the hypocrisy of the North in objecting to the South having slavery yet providing the sea captains, ships, and business trips that made it possible for slaves to be imported.
Similarly, James Wilson of Pennsylvania played by Stanton Morales and George Read of Delaware, portrayed by Noah LaPook, both understudies for a matinee performance this week, were outstanding as the whiney little man who admired and blindly followed the lead of fellow Congressman John Dickison and George Read of Delaware who was opposed to the Declaration. Fascinating that Ludacka, when he’s not perfect as Rutledge, is the leading portrayer of Pennsylvania’s James Wilson. Kudos to actors who know the dialogue for more than one actor in a play with so many roles.
Clearly, both Elena Shaddow as Abigail, and Liz Leclerc as Martha are delightful, fanciful, and beautiful in their roles, Abigail seen only in John’s visions and Martha spectacular singing and dancing with Adams and Franklin while her husband is busy writing the resolution the play is all about.
The play at the Paper Mill renewed my conviction that Sherman Edwards is the best there can possibly be in both lyrics and music. Considering the joy and sheer love of Martha Jefferson in talking about her husband, the enthusiasm of Bryant Martin’s Richard Henry Lee bragging about generations of his family, and the frustration of Adams’ “Does Anybody There” while fighting so hard to have independence become reality are as inspirational as South Carolina’s chastisement of the North’s ironic objection to slavery or the heartbreaking, tones of “Momma Look Sharp” sung by a soldier who saw his friends killed in the war.
The original play first appeared on Broadway in 1969, on film in 1972, and has never lost it authenticity, charm or portrayal of this vital part of American history. Clearly, it is a musical that should not be missed. On stage at the Paper Mill is especially enjoyable because it appears all seats offer outstanding great visual and audio accommodations, there are tables and chairs for outdoor seating before doors open, and lounges, refreshments of both food and drink inside once seating begins and elevators to the upper levels. The theater offers special equipment to enhance those with hearing or visual loss, and a staff both indoors and outside that obviously love their job and warmly welcome audiences of 1200. Parking is a bit pricey at $12, and it’s important to get there at least 90 minutes to two hours early to ensure a spot close enough to make the $12 a worthwhile investment. Traffic in and out of Millburn after the matinees ends pretty well takes over the entire business district.
Praise to this huge cast at the Paper Mill and everyone who put it together from set designer to directors and managers and their staffs as well as to the huge staff that run the parking lots, the eateries in the theater, the ticket sales and support window, as well as ushers and other assistants.
1776 continues through May 2 and will be followed by West Side Story May 28 through June 28. Tickets for that start at $40 and are available at papermill.org.
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