Cabrillo Music Theatre Presents 1776, Now thru 10/28

The Tony Award-winning musical 1776 will make its Cabrillo Music Theatre and Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza debut from tonight, October 19 through Sunday, October 28. The musical about the writing of the Declaration of Independence brings the most significant moment in American history to life with wit, wisdom and humanity. The result is a musical theatre classic that will have audiences cheering for the creation of democracy. 1776 will be presented at the 1,800-seat Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks.

It's a hot, sweltering summer in Philadelphia, and the American Dream is about to be born! 1776 follows John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, and Richard Henry Lee and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia as they attempt to convince the members of the second Continental Congress to vote for independence from the British monarchy by signing the Declaration of Independence. With music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards, and a book by Peter Stone, based on a concept by Edwards, 1776 puts a human face on the pages of history as the men behind the national icons - proud, frightened, uncertain, irritable, charming, often petty and ultimately noble figures – grow determined to do the right thing for a fledgling nation.

Directing and Choreographing Cabrillo Music Theatre’s 1776 is Nick DeGruccio, who won an Ovation Award for directing Cabrillo’s JEKYLL & HYDE. Musical Direction is by Ovation Nominee Steven Applegate, who will conduct the Cabrillo Music Theatre Orchestra. The cast features Southern California favorites Peter Husmann as John Adams, Steve Gunderson as Benjamin Franklin, Dan Callaway as Thomas Jefferson, and Michael Andrew Baker as John Dickinson. Joining them are some of Ventura County’s most renowned performers: Gary Saxer (as Robert Livingston), Steve Perren (as Roger Sherman), Ronald Rezac (as Ceasar Rodney), Nick Marinoff (Josiah Bartlett) and Christanna Rowader (AbiGail Adams).

1776 has long been considered the ideal way to learn about the birth of the American Revolution, but contains a bit of “salty language” from our Founding Fathers, and is strongly recommended for ages 11 and up.

Performances are Thursdays at 7:30pm, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm, and Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00pm. A post-show discussion with cast, staff and audience will follow the Saturday, October 20th, 2:00pm performance. A signed performance for the deaf and hard-of-hearing will take place on the Friday, October 26th performance.

Tickets are on sale now and may be purchased at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza Box Office located at 2100 Thousand Oaks Boulevard in Thousand Oaks or through any Ticketmaster location or by phone (800) 745-3000. For groups of 10 or more, please call Group Sales, Cabrillo Music Theatre at (805) 497-8613. Ticket prices range from $30-$65. For ticket and theatre information, call (805) 449-ARTS (2787).

Photo Credit: Ed Krieger

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