"1776"
AT
PALM BEACH DRAMAWORKS
PLAY REVIEW BY IRV
RIKON
Clive
Cholerton for President? Why not? At PALM BEACH DRAMAWORKS he's
taken a musical play, "1776," which in two previous productions I'd
seen, seemed artificially sweet, saccharine, and rather static. Mr.
Cholerton turned the work into a masterpiece. If he can do that in West
Palm Beach, maybe he could do it in dysfunctional Washington, D. C. (?)
"1776," a multiple Tony Award winner when originally produced in
1969, is the story of America's Founding Fathers who, after considerable
cantankerous and lengthy debates in and out of the Anteroom of the Continental
Congress in Philadelphia, in July of 1776 finally signed the Declaration
of Independence, the document which, citing Britain's abuses, informed the
world that the United States of America was freeing itself from the
British Empire. This was historic. Never before in world
history had such an event occurred. (By sheer coincidence, in late June
of this year the British, for similar reasons, voted to separate themselves
from the European Union. Leading up to the Brexit, as it was termed, were
debates as contentious as those in 1776 America and the ones darkening our
2016 Presidential election).
Several factors contributed to making this production different from its
predecessors: It occurred to both Director Cholerton and PBD's Producing
Artistic Director William Hayes that this year's tumultuous election
echoed what had happened at our country's creation. Some issues were
closely related. In 1776 the main issue was slavery. In 2016
"Black Lives Matter". Also, the original production called for
28 players. The PBD stage isn't large enough to accommodate such a number
nor could Dramaworks afford to hire so many. Thus Mr. Cholerton was
left to "re-imagine" the play script. Now there are 13 actors,
some of whom portray multiple characters, both "liberal" and
"conservative," and a small onstage band. I'll quickly add that
everyone in this cast is outstanding. At play's end, the entire audience
rises as one to cheer and applaud.
At
the play's beginning, onstage screen projections (excellently chosen by Sean
Lawson) of Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton highlight the rancor of today's
campaigning and immediately connect with the squabbles of 1776. Then enter
the Founding Fathers: John Adams; Thomas Jefferson; Benjamin Franklin,
among them. This is basically an ensemble play except for John Adams,
whose inner thoughts and interactions with his wife Abigail permeate the
proceedings. As Adams, Gary Cadwallader
exudes star and leadership qualities. His acting leaves no doubt that
someday Adams will become President, and his
singing voice excels. Abigail is portrayed by Laura Hodos, who also is
John Hancock! That she is outstanding in both roles is testimony to the
complexity and the excellence of this production. Nicholas Richberg
is both John Dickinson and Richard Henry Lee. As Lee, his energetic solo
dance early in Act One (Choreography by Michelle Petrucci) is a highlight.
If
Act One be light in spirit, introducing the characters, their distinct
personalities, foibles and issues, Act Two is more serious. Not everyone
wants to sign the Declaration of Independence. Some are still loyal to Britain.
Some are slaveholders. To them "Molasses to Rum to Slaves," as
sung by Edward Rutledge, (Shane R. Tanner,) slavery is a legitimate part of
business. John Adams is at last asked to write the Declaration, but he
defers to Thomas Jefferson (Clay Cartland), who rather reluctantly accepts the
responsibility. (Reluctantly because he owns slaves?) Most of Act
Two is a solemn debate as to what will go into the Declaration, which has to be
signed unanimously if it is to be passed. Despite the fact the ending is
known, the last several minutes of the play are suspenseful. Who will
hold out, and why? And for how long?
Two
things need to be said: The American Declaration of Independence and the
Constitution which later followed are cornerstones of the United States
and what it means to be an American. Every schoolchild and every adult
should know these living documents of a free people. Secondly,
I do wish I could name all participants in this production. All deserve
recognition.
The
play has its weaknesses. Sherman Edwards' music and lyrics are so
integrated into the show that audiences will hardly be able to hum or sing any
of the songs. Playwright Peter Stone's book is strong, but several of our
Founding Fathers were true geniuses. Their gathering in one place at the
same time borders on the miraculous. The play script deals more
with their eccentricities than it does their brilliance.
Jefferson was an accomplished architect and an Ambassador to France.
He later helped to persuade the French to join the American cause.
As third President of the United States,
he purchased from France
"Louisiana,"
now the mid-section of our country. His sponsorship of the Lewis and
Clark expedition brought America
to the Pacific Ocean. Benjamin
Franklin, very well portrayed here by Allan Baker as something of a roue, was
an earlier Ambassador to France.
Writer, printer, newspaper publisher, businessman, he gave America its
postal system. He invented bifocal glasses and a
fuel-efficient stove which is named after him and which he did not patent,
since the stove was created for the benefit of the people. He helped
found a hospital and a
philosophical society, both still in existence in Philadelphia. He experimented with
electricity in a scientific quest unique for its time. Again, I have
neither the space nor the inclination to describe everyone's quite amazing
achievements.
The end of
the play brings out American audiences' patriotism. Where 1776 and 2016
sharply differ is that neither Donald Trump nor Hillary Clinton are in the same
league as the Founders. The production is so
good you might indeed find yourself asking, "Why not
Clive Cholerton for President?" Anyway, his insights and the talents
of all concerned are definitely worth viewing.