Forefathers would be proud of '1776' production

FORT WALTON BEACH — American history has never been so much fun as it is in the Stage Crafters Community Theatre production of “1776.”

The musical-comedy begins its two-week run Friday at the Fort Walton Beach Municipal Auditorium downtown. Dates are Nov. 6-8 and 12-15. Showtimes are 7:30 p.m. for Thursday, Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. for Sunday.

The play tells the story, with a little literary license, of the days in May, June and July 1776 leading up to the birth of the United States of America and the writing of the Declaration of Independence.

Music and lyrics are by Sherman Edwards with story by Peter Stone. Large portions of spoken and sung dialogue are taken directly from the letters and memoirs of the participants in those historical events.

It was produced on Broadway in 1969, running for more than a thousand performances, and was made into a movie in 1972. The play was nominated for five Tony Awards and won three, including Best Musical.

“I fell in love with this show,” said co-director Jean Starkey. “It really tells the story of how the United States came into being.” John Beschler is the show’s other co-director.

A few glitches, including no programs, during a special media night presentation Monday will certainly be corrected by opening night.

Fortunately, a cast list was provided in a press release, and the cast is outstanding.

Leading the ensemble as John Adams is Zack Kennison. You may remember him for his remarkable portrayal of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde last season.

He’s every bit as amazing as the “obnoxious and disliked” proponent of independence for the 13 colonies. With volumes of dialogue and a presence in nearly every musical number, Kennison ably carries the show with his rich voice and skillful acting.

His closest ally is Benjamin Franklin, played nimbly by Walt Steigleman. Much of Franklin’s role is hued with humor, which Steigleman paints with broad strokes to great comedic effect.

David Jones bears the unenviable task of portraying antagonist John Dickinson, and he does so with superb grace and a near-regal performance.

RJ Murdock keeps the unruly proceedings under control with a well-tempered portrayal of John Hancock.

Other standouts in the large cast include Tom Hood as Thomas Jefferson, Sarah LaBombard as the sweet-voiced Abigail Adams and Bruce Culpepper as William Henry Lee.

“With a cast of 26, it has been very difficult to work around everyone’s schedules,” Starkey said. “Life is busy enough, but with a hardworking cast, there has been lots of fun involved. And it shows when they are on stage.”

For a musical, there isn’t an overabundance of numbers. In fact, in Scene 3 more than 20 minutes pass without a single note of music.

Nevertheless, many of the songs are memorable for all the right reasons.

The opening “Sit Down, John” quickly sets the mood for the contention to follow. “The Lees of Old Virginia” starts down a more optimistic path.

“But, Mr. Adams,” which determines who will write the independence document, is a favorite as is a running duet between the Adamses titled “Yours, Yours, Yours.”

“Cool, Cool, Considerate Men” allows Dickinson and the Conservatives a chance to shine, and “Is Anybody There?” gives Adams his final resolve.

Costumes for the show are top notch. Also, be sure to look for a neat special effect during the signing finale.

The only drawback to the otherwise fine-looking set is that the live orchestra is clearly visible behind the players. This might have been less distracting if the keyboard player had not been wearing an orange hoodie.

A sign in the lobby advised theatergoers that the show contains adult themes and language. It’s mostly along the lines of Shakespearanlike double entendre and sexual innuendo.

With intermission, the show runs about 2½ hours.

Tickets are $20 each and may be purchased at Connect With Flowers in Shalimar, P.S. Gifts in Fort Walton Beach, Bayou Books in Niceville, Dowd Title Group in Destin, all Century 21 locations and at the door one hour before curtain time.

The Municipal Auditorium is at 107 Miracle Strip Parkway Call 243-1101.