One show on Broadway is making—and re-making—history every night.
The Tony Award-winning Best Musical 1776 has catapulted to blazing new life in a thrillingly new production, and New York Magazine/Vulture says, “it’s an absolute blast!” Suddenly, the songs, humor, and passion of this musical masterpiece soar as never before.
A glorious multiracial cast of female, transgender, and nonbinary actors portrays the fiery founders of this country, putting history in the hands of the humans who were left out the first time around—and the result is an epic show of passion, debate, and roof-raising musical fireworks. Experience “a 1776 worth celebrating!” (Variety) “It pulsates with energy and snaps with attitude.”
“AN ABSOLUTE BLAST. IT WINS YOU OVER IN MINUTES! I’m glad to have witnessed it. I want other people to witness it.” – James Frankie Thomas, New York Magazine
“FOUR STARS! YOU LEAVE THE PRODUCTION AMAZED!” – Adam Feldman, Time Out
“VERY FUNNY, WITH A JAUNTY AND TUNEFUL SCORE. A WIN FOR LIFE AND LIBERTY!” – Leah Greenblatt, Entertainment Weekly
“A 1776 WORTH CELEBRATING! It pulsates with energy and snaps with attitude.” – Frank Rizzo, Variety
The remarkable revival of '1776,' cast entirely with female, transgender and nonbinary actors, is not as much about the pronouns as it is about a verb. Because the delightful ensemble owns the script and score of this 1969 musical as if the story of the signing of the Declaration of Independence were written explicitly about them. That sense of new ownership joyfully pervades this splendid production, which opened officially Thursday night at Broadway's American Airlines Theatre. Directors Jeffrey Page and Diane Paulus adhere to the philosophy of 'Hamilton's' Lin-Manuel Miranda, the founding father of the proposition that all men (and women and trans and nonbinary people) are created equal when it comes to serenading us about the birth of the country.
Despite the occasional A for effort moments, the production still clocks in as a potent revival-something not easy to pull off, considering that the show has a lengthy Act One section where independence is discussed in the Congressional chamber and the politicos have the nerve not to bother to sing or dance at all! The sets are relatively uninspired (especially what looks like a big shower curtain with flag images on it, plus the humdrum-looking desks at Independence Hall), and the sudden use of contemporary activism videos at one point in Act II is jarring, but again, what propels this production is a bold willingness to take chances-and believe me, it resonates.
1969 | Broadway |
Original Broadway Production Broadway |
1970 | US Tour |
National Tour US Tour |
1970 | West End |
London Production West End |
1970 | US Tour |
Bus and Truck Tour US Tour |
1997 | Broadway |
Roundabout Revival Broadway |
2007 | East Haddam, CT (Regional) |
Goodspeed Revival East Haddam, CT (Regional) |
2016 | Off-Broadway |
City Center Encores Concert Production Off-Broadway |
2022 | Broadway |
Roundabout Theatre Company Broadway Revival Broadway |
2023 | US Tour |
US Tour US Tour |
Year | Ceremony | Category | Nominee |
---|---|---|---|
2023 | Drama League Awards | Outstanding Revival of a Musical | 1776 |
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