1776: The Musical

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1776 is a spirited retelling of the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. With wit, drama, and memorable music, the musical follows John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson as they battle political opposition, personal doubts, and deep divisions to forge a new nation.

In 1776 Philadelphia, the passionate but stubborn John Adams pushes the Continental Congress toward independence while clashing with fellow delegates, rallying them with songs like “Sit Down, John” and “But, Mr. Adams.” As tensions rise and the cost of freedom becomes clear, the story unfolds through powerful moments such as “He Plays the Violin,” the haunting “Molasses to Rum,” and the poignant “Momma Look Sharp,” before the delegates finally unite to sign the Declaration of Independence.

1776 was created by Sherman Edwards, who wrote the music and lyrics, with a book by Peter Stone. The show premiered on Broadway in 1969 where it received great acclaim and won three Tony Awards, including Best Musical. It was also nominated for five Drama Desk Awards. The original production starred William Daniels as Adams, Ken Howard as Thomas Jefferson, and Howard Da Silva as Benjamin Franklin. All three revisited their roles in the 1972 movie version of this acclaimed show.