This inspiring historical musical play won three Tony Awards, including Best Musical, when first produced. It tells the story of John Adams trying to persuade his colleagues to vote for American independence. A full cast of females take stage to bring new life and energy to this exciting musical. With music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards, book by Peter Stone, directed by Gretchen Teague and music direction by Gary Lyons, the cast features Nikki Boldt, Julia Butler, Rachel Cochran, Paige Deragowski, Audra Dierksen, Beverly Finley, Kara Gulotta, Kelly Johnston, Elizabeth Kaatz, Jeanne Kierre, Judy Luxton, Kaitlin Morrill, Amy Muchnick, Emily Ogle, Jessica Palmer, Aubrey Smith, Lauren Smith, Tara Teeling, Kate Venable, Kalie Webb, Pam Weiss and Maxine Whittaker.
After opening in 1969, the musical was turned into a film in 1972 and was revived on Broadway in 1997. In the summer of 2010, Kansas City’s Musical Theatre Heritage produced 1776 with an all female cast and received national attention. This non-traditional concept of 1776puts the emphasis on the work itself. When you enter the theater, you know how it is going to turn out. By the halfway point, when only six colonies out of the necessary 13 are voting for independence – and only six days remain until July 4 – you may wonder how the United States of America came together. With a large chorus of voices, telling an exciting part of American history through the medium of a marvelous musical, the full sound and emotion of the cast director Teague has assembled will make the audience see the universal story in a new light.
1776 will play three weekends at the Vandivort Center Theatre, around the Independence Day celebrations: June 29-30, July 5-7, July 13-14 at 7:30 PM with two Sunday matinees: July 1 & 8 at 2 PM. Tickets for the first weekend are $16 each. Tickets for Thursday, July 5, are $17.76. Tickets for July 6-14 are $22 Adults, $18 Senior Adults (55 and over) and students. Children, 12 and under, are $10 at any performance. Half priced tickets are available for the Thursday, July 5 performance for school faculty members. Special priced tickets are available to current members of our military for $12 at any performance. Group rates, for 12 or more for one performance, are $16 each, July 6-14. Student rush tickets may be available, 30 minutes before a performance (if seating is available) for $10 with student ID. Our “Meet the Cast” lobby receptions follow performances on June 29 and 30. All seats are reserved. Call 417-831-8001 to purchase and make reservations for all performances, Tuesday-Friday, 12-5 PM. The Vandivort Center Theatre is located at 305 E. Walnut St. in downtown Springfield. MO.
