1776

Music and Lyrics by Sherman Edwards / Book by Peter Stone / Directed by Jennifer Vaughan

Celebrate America’s 250th birthday by witnessing the birth of a nation as our forefathers struggle to craft the Declaration of Independence!… if only they can agree to do it! It is a long, hot summer in Philadelphia, and the Continental Congress is an exhausted, annoyed, quarrelsome collection of men, at each other’s throats over the burning question of independence from Great Britain. John Adams, the passionate crusader for rebellion, races against time. George Washington’s army is outnumbered and needs inspiration to continue to fight. But Adams is obnoxious and disliked and no one will listen to his arguments. They might have a chance if the charming Thomas Jefferson, a master wordsmith, would write a declaration. Jefferson, however, is longing to return to his young wife, Martha, and is in no mood to be creative. Under these conditions, how will America ever achieve independence?

Peter Stone and Sherman Edwards’ 1776 is a brilliant imagining of American history. It puts a human face on this formative event of history as we see the men behind the national icons;  proud, frightened, uncertain, irritable, charming, and often petty, but determined to do the right thing and form a new nation. It is a funny, insightful and compelling drama, bringing humor and humanity to the account of twenty men, three months, and one incredible argument, in which the fate of America is decided. The score features such famous tunes as the romantic “He Plays the Violin,” the comedic “The Lees of Old Virginia,” and that plaintive memorial to young patriots, “Momma, Look Sharp.”

Performance Dates

Sept. 11-13 and 18-20, 2026 at the Blue Ridge Community College, Black Box Theater (Fridays and Saturdays @ 7:00pm and Sundays @ 3:00pm)