Actors portraying John Adams and Benjamin Franklin each hold one hand of a woman in a yellow dress and sing.
Brooks Ashmanskas as John Adams, Erin Kruse as Martha Jefferson and Christopher Bloch as Benjamin Franklin in the Ford’s Theatre production of 1776, directed by Peter Flynn. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

1776

date March 9, 2012 — May 19, 2012

With quick-witted dialogue and a playful score, 1776 dramatizes the impassioned debates of Philadelphia’s Second Continental Congress. As George Washington sends updates from the military front, patriots John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson attempt to persuade the 13 colonies to separate from British rule. Motivated by a series of abuses from King George, America’s first politicians forge a new democracy by composing the Declaration of Independence. Based on the letters and memoirs of America’s founding fathers, this classic, Tony Award-winning musical showcases the principles, pride and determination that influenced the birth of our nation.

Artistic Team

Book by Peter Stone
Based on a concept Sherman Edwards
Director Peter Flynn
Choreographer Michael Bobbitt
Music direction Jay Crowder

Cast

James Konicek

John Hancock

Headshot for Peter Boyer.

Peter Boyer

Dr. Josiah Bartlett

Headshot for Brooks Ashmankas.

Brooks Ashmanskas

John Adams

Floyd King

Stephen Hopkins

Rick Hammerly

Roger Sherman

Headshot for Dan Manning.

Dan Manning

Robert Livingston

Matthew A. Anderson

Lewis Morris

Thomas Adrian Simpson

Reverend John Witherspoon

Headshot for Robert Cuccioli.

Robert Cuccioli

John Dickinson

Headshot for Christopher Bloch.

Christopher Bloch

Benjamin Franklin

Bobby Smith

James Wilson

Richard Pelzman

Colonel Thomas McKean

Headshot for Chris Sizemore.

Chris Sizemore

George Read

Headshot for Buzz Mauro.

Buzz Mauro

Caesar Rodney

Michael Bunce

Samuel Chase

Headshot for William Diggle.

William Diggle

Thomas Jefferson

Stephen F. Schmidt

Richard Henry Lee

Headshot for Patrick A'Hearn.

Patrick A’Hearn

Joseph Hewes

Headshot for Gregory Maheu.

Gregory Maheu

Edward Rutledge

Steven Carpenter

Dr. Lyman Hall

Headshot for Tom Story.

Tom Story

Charles Thomson

Drew Eshelman

Andrew McNair

Headshot for Matthew John Kacergis.

Matthew John Kacergis

A Leather Apron/Painter

Headshot for Sam Ludwig.

Sam Ludwig

Courier

Headshot for Kate Fisher.

Kate Fisher

Abigail Adams

Headshot for Erin Kruse.

Erin Kruse

Martha Jefferson

Musicians

Keyboard I/Conductor George Fulginiti-Shakar
Keyboard II Alex Tang
Violin Doug Dubé
Bass Dan Hall
Reeds George Hummel
Trumpet/Flugelhorn Craig Taylor
Trombone Gus Mitchell
Percussion Danny Villanueva

From the Gallery

Actors portraying John Adams and Benjamin Franklin each hold one hand of a woman in a yellow dress and sing.

Brooks Ashmanskas as John Adams, Erin Kruse as Martha Jefferson and Christopher Bloch as Benjamin Franklin in the Ford’s Theatre production of 1776, directed by Peter Flynn. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

A man in an 18th century suit holds a cane and speaks. Behind him people sit at desks and listen.

Robert Cuccioli as John Dickinson with (background L to R) Drew Eshelman as Andrew McNair and James Konicek as John Hancock in the Ford’s Theatre production of 1776, directed by Peter Flynn. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

A woman in a yellow dress leans through an open window and smiles.

Erin Kruse as Martha Jefferson in the Ford’s Theatre production of 1776, directed by Peter Flynn. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

Actors portraying John Adams and Benjamin Franklin sit and listen to a man in a green coat and suit speaks. Behind them men sit at desks and watch.

(At Right) Gregory Maheu as Edward Rutledge addresses the Continental Congress in the Ford’s Theatre production of 1776, directed by Peter Flynn. Photo by Carol Rosegg.