In terms of historical events to portray on the stage, the meeting of the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia in 1776 seems like an unlikely first choice. A bunch of respectable, rich white men sat in a hot, dank room and decided whether to rebel or remain a colony of Britain.
The cast and crew of Elon University’s winter musical “1776” have proven that the days leading up to the signing of one of the country’s most famous documents, the Declaration of Independence, were more exciting than one would think.
“1776” focuses on John Adams, the Massachusetts delegate for the Second Continental Congress who has been failing in his attempts to get Congress to discuss the possibility of declaring independence from England.
With a play so deep-seated in the historical fabric of our country, accuracy is very important. That’s why “1776” has a dramaturge — a researcher who makes sure details of the show match historical fact. The dramaturge for “1776” at Elon is assistant director and junior Cody Schmidt, who said knowing the facts influenced the way he and director Linda Sabo made decisions.
“I think that having a dramaturge role is very important for the show, specifically for the actors. Having someone that knows the history of the show and can give them information for that can be very useful,” Schmidt said. “I need to know the show entirely so that I could properly make choices for an audience to understand and to make sure that I am creating choices that make sense to show.”
Schmidt was not the only person doing his homework. The stage manager, junior Danielle Basirico, said all the cast and crew members did their part to know the history behind the three months they were portraying on the stage.
“I made a joke to [Cody Schmidt] that I should have gotten a civilization credit for this show,” Basirico said. “This rehearsal process has been just as much a history lesson as a theatrical production.”
As senior Ryan Burch, who portrays protagonist John Adams, pointed out, it is not the historical accuracy that makes a connection with the audience, it is the hilarious yet emotional tale of a group of men trying to do what’s best for their country that resonates the most.
“Yes, audiences will learn a little about history since it’s a historical musical, [but] I love that the show isn’t about just the ‘history,’” Burch said.
The cast really pushed the comedy angle throughout opening night, Feb. 14, milking the sexual innuendos and witty punch lines that drew in the audience.
Junior Sarah Gordon, who plays Adams’ faithful and sharp-witted wife Abigail, hopes audiences have looked beyond the heroes the history books have glorified and simply seen men trying to make a difference for their country.
“I hope that Elon audiences get a feel for who these men were as people, as opposed to the ‘demigods’ we tend to see them as,” Gordon said. “Benjamin Franklin talks about it in the show, that they were just men trying to do what was best in their given circumstances. I also think that audiences will walk away with a new sense of patriotism and pride in what it truly means to be American. I know I certainly have.”
While no one can say for sure, Friday night’s audience’s reaction showed that the cast and crew’s diligent research and desire to show the depth of these patriots paid off. The show’s opening night was met with a standing ovation.