Presented May 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, and 17, 2003 at the Civic Center Little Theater.

1776 is a "stars and stripes" musical that recounts the events surrounding the creation and adoption of the Declaration of Independence through comedy and drama, music and dance.  The show portrays members of the second Continental Congress struggling with the conflict that their grand vision for and of a free nation was the right course of action and would secure their places in history.  Yet by (finally) approving by unanimous vote and later penning their names on a parchment exquisitely (though reluctantly) crafted by Thomas Jefferson would instantly convict each man of treason and potentially lead to death if events didn't go as planned.  1776 portrays our brave first leaders in the respectful and noble manner they deserve; however, when necessary, their lighter sides appear both as comic relief and to reassure us that they are indeed human beings after all.  The show takes place primarily in the Continental Congress chamber in Philadelphia between May and July of its namesake year.

The composer, Sherman Edwards, spent nine and a half years researching and creating the historical extravaganza.  1776 was nominated for 5 Tony awards in its debut year of 1969 and won for "Best Actor", "Best Featured or Supporting Cast in a Musical", "Best Director in a Musical", and "Best Musical".  The show was last performed by the Guild in 1975.

Click here to read more about the Declaration of Independence from the United States Library of Congress archives.

Click here to read the 1997 New York Times review of the Broadway revival starring Brent Spiner as John Adams.

Original Broadway production: Music and Lyrics by Sherman Edwards; Book by Peter Stone based on original concept by Sherman Edwards.

For the Guild: Direction and Choreography by Nina Denton Pasinetti; Musical Direction by John Marshall; Piano Accompaniment by Stan Kay; Technical Direction by Tom Pasinetti.

Click here to view selected production photos.