History Comes Alive

1776

 In spite of the fact that everyone knows how the story ends, this musical surprises with its unexpected humor, dramatic tension and unrelenting suspense, as John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and their allies attempt to persuade all 13 colonies to vote for independency. The dramatic construction of this play by librettist Peter Stone is beautifully enhanced and given a playful, almost irreverent tone by Sherman Edwards’ music and lyrics. History comes alive in this intelligent and accessible musical, now in an incredibly captivating production at the Marriott Theatre.

In 1969 a musical premiered on Broadway that, at the time, was considered daring and groundbreaking. It told the story of the hot, summer days leading up to the drafting and signing of our Declaration of Independence. It could easily be compared to today’s HAMILTON in the way in which it presents our country’s founding fathers as real, flesh and blood people. The depiction of these familiar American patriots brought them to life—no longer merely names from a history textbook. 

After the show opened on Broadway it ran for more than 1,200 performances, taking home the Tony Award that year for Best Musical. Three years later, the musical was adapted for the silver screen, with most of the original cast reprising their roles in the film. In 1997 the show enjoyed an eagerly awaited remount by the Roundabout Theatre Company; and in 2016 Encores! staged a concert version of the musical. It began a trend of racially diverse casting in roles that traditionally had been played only by Caucasian actors. Then, pushing the envelope even further, a new 2022 Broadway production cast actors who were not only racially divergent, but who also identified as female, transgender or non-binary.

Marriott Theatre’s superbly reimagined production is not only glorious, but uniquely daring. Director Nick Bowling has cast some of Chicago’s finest, most talented actor/singers to portray the 25 real-life historical figures who inhabit this story. And not only is his entire cast, including the understudies, a rainbow of ethnic diversity, but almost half of the actors are either female or identify as non-binary or trans. However, keeping the expectations of most Marriott theatergoers in mind, Mr. Bowling’s cast portray the authentic genders of their characters.

The exceptions are the two exquisite actor/vocalists who play the lone ladies of this play: Abigail Adams and Martha Jefferson. They’re portrayed by the lovely and gifted Katherine Alexis Thomas (Sarah in Marriott’s RAGTIME) as Abigail, and Alicia Kaori (Maria in Paramount’s wonderful SOUND OF MUSIC) as Martha. In addition to playing the fetching Mrs. Jefferson, whose catchy Act I finale “He Plays the Violin” she deliciously sings and dances, Ms. Kaori also returns to the stage in the role of Joseph Hewes of North Carolina.

The cast is led by New York actor Tyrick Wiltez Jones. He’s been seen in such Broadway musicals as BAT OUT OF HELL, FINIAN’S RAINBOW and HAIRSPRAY. As John Adams, Mr Jones delivers the most animated portrayal of this character that I’ve ever seen. Adams is a very demanding role, and Tyrick bounds all over Regina Garcia’s authentic-looking Stage setting with enthusiastic athleticism. Mr. Jones beautiful vocal prowess is heard in such songs as “The Egg,” “Sit Down, John,” “Piddle, Twiddle” and John’s haunting duets with Abigail, “Till Then” and “Yours, Yours, Yours.” But in the end, the actor leaves it all on the stage with his plaintive and heartfelt 11th hour ballad, “Is Anybody There?”

Returning to the Marriott stage, where he delighted audiences with his portrayal of Sancho in MAN OF LA MANCHA, Richard R. Henry is both hilarious and reverential as Benjamin Franklin. Lending his lovely trained tenor to numbers like “But, Mr. Adams,” “He Plays the Violin,” “The Egg” and “The Lees of Old Virginia,” Mr. Henry is a standout in this leading character role. Also returning to the Marriott, after his stunning portrayal of Capt. Von Trapp in THE SOUND OF MUSIC, Erik Hellman nicely plays Thomas Jefferson. One of my favorite Chicago actors, Mr. Hellman creates an honest, flesh-and-blood character that fulfills the audience’s expectations of this intellectual southern gentleman. A fantastic actor and a fine vocalist, Mr. Hellman is stellar in this part.

In a role that’s a true testimony to this talented actress’ brilliance and versatility, Heidi Kettenring plays John Adams’ unrelenting adversary, John Dickinson. One of several opponents to the nation’s liberty, Ms. Kettenring gives a penetrating portrayal of an ultra conservative Congressman, the red-coated delegate from Pennsylvania. Heidi thoroughly dominates every scene, especially when Dickinson and Adams spar over how treasonous a Declaration of Independence would appear to “good” King George. The actress then reminds audiences of her extraordinary vocal talent that she demonstrated in the title role of Marriott’s HELLO DOLLY, as she leads the other Conservatives in a Gavotte entitled “Cool, Cool, Considerate Men.” There is no doubt that Heidi Kettenring is one of Chicago’s finest musical stars, whether she’s playing a woman, a man or anything else.

Every actor in this production has both his or her own individual moments, while also blending together as the show’s ensemble. Of particular mention is the extraordinary Matthew Hommel, who’s making his Marriott debut in his almost sinister and smarmy portrayal of South Carolina’s Edward Rutledge. Mr. Hommel is magnificent in so many confrontational scenes with Adams.But the young actor is simply breathtaking in his performance of the stirring solo number, “Molasses To Rum.

 In addition, there’s the always wonderful Lucy Godinez, full of guts, gumption and glory as Richard Henry Lee, with his catchy cakewalk number,  “The Lees of Old Virginia;” and Nancy Voigts shares the stage with her daughter, sweetly playing the deathly ill patriot from Delaware, Caesar Rodney. Remembered for her portrayal of Sister Mary Lazarus in Marriott’s SISTER ACT,  Mary Robin Roth returns to the Marriott stage as the cantankerous and rum-swilling Stephen Hopkins from Rhode Island. Patrick Byrnes, fresh off his exceptional portrayal of Fredrik Egerman in A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC at Theo Ubique, is refreshing as New York’s polite delegate, Lewis Morris, who continually abstains from voting courteously. Two Chicago favorites in this production are Lillian Castillo, seen at the Marriott in ELEPHANT & PIGGIE, THE MUSIC MAN and IN THE HEIGHTS, and Dan Gold, remembered for multiple roles in Marriott’s BEAUTIFUL and DON’T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS. Both are wonderful as Delaware delegates, Colonel Thomas McKean and George Read.

Additional star-making performances are turned in by Teddy Gales as Pennsylvanian James Wilson, who doesn’t want to be noticed; delegate Roger Sherman, played by Michael Earvin Martin, who wishes to return to Connecticut to see his newborn baby; Jesse Bhamrah, as the new Georgia delegate, Dr. Lyman Hall; Ed Kross as New Jersey’s better-late-than-never Rev. John Witherspoon; and New Hampshire’s outspoken Samuel Chase, played with sass and spunk by Danielle Davis. 

John Hancock, the President of Congress, is energetically played with authority by handsome Joel Gelman; Congressional Secretary, Charles Thomson, is portrayed with sobriety and reverence by Gabrielle Lott-Rogers; Congressional Custodian Andrew McNair is given hilarious individuality by Karl Hamilton; and the Courier, nicely played by Jay Westbrook, constantly trudges from the battlefields to Congress delivering George Washington’s gloomy dispatches. His soulful rendition of “Momma Look Sharp” poignantly encapsulates the despair of the Revolutionary War. 

This is an incredible and creative production. While staying true to the original musical, Director Nick Bowling’s unique casting has given the show a new look and energy. His company truly reflects the population of this country by showcasing so many different races and nationalities, along with some very gifted and talented men, women and non-binary actors. The result is an exciting, inclusive production filled with talented triple-threats that offers a modern retelling of our country’s history. With gorgeous costumes and wigs by Theresa Ham and Miguel A. Armstrong, fine choreography by Tanji Harper, beautiful lighting effects by Jesse Klug, exceptional Musical Direction courtesy of Ryan T. Nelson, and a full-sounding pit orchestra conducted by Brad Haak, the cast is fully supported with plenty of skill and precision. Mr. Bowling’s stunning, heart-stirring version of this Tony-winning musical supports why 1776 remains one of Broadway’s greatest attempts to make history come alive.

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented August 21-October 13 by the Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling the Marriott at 847-634-0200 or by going to www.MarriottTheatre.com.

Additional information about this and other area productions can be found by visiting www.theatreinchicago.com.