Long before Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit musical “Hamilton” was a Broadway smash when it opened in January 2015, the movers and shakers of American history were taking bows in a hit Broadway musical.
When the musical “1776? won a Tony award for best musical of the 1968-69 season for its humorous retelling of the events surrounding the signing of the Declaration of Independence, audiences hit the box office with record sales.
“I think when this idea for a musical stage telling of these history events was first suggested back in the 1960s, producers and money backers were skeptical about whether people would pay to watch a musical about the events of the signing of the Declaration of Independence,” said Angie Lowe, teamed with husband Paul Lowe, who have their own 56-year history in Northwest Indiana producing theatrical works.
“When we secured the rights to this musical back in March, we knew we’d have to start planning for this fall 2023 run for our L’arc en Ciel Theatre Group because it’s such a large cast.”
The couple have directed and produced “1776? twice previously, first in 1976 and then again in 2002.
Their new run this month of “1776? began Nov. 4 and continues with dinner performances 8 p.m. Friday and Saturdays, with pre-show dinner buffet served at 6:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 2 p.m. and pre-show dinner at 12:30 p.m. through Nov. 19 presented by L’arc en Ciel Theatre Group at Great Oaks Dinner Theatre in Cedar Lake. The Nov. 17 and 18 night performances will not include a dinner option.
“Since ‘1776’ is all about the early leaders of our country as portrayed on stage, this is a programming requiring a large male cast, in addition to the only two female roles included in scenes,” Angie said.
“This has always been a challenge every time we’ve done this show, which is why we started the audition process in early summer to attract our cast.”
The musical “1776? follows the footsteps of the delegates of the Continental Congress through the months that preceded the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Jason Horn, who plays John Adams, said the characters’ fumbles, quirks and argumentative personas are explored, which is sometimes similar to the frustrations expressed in today’s political arena.
“The performance space we have seats about 110 people and we have a cast of 26 main characters for the production, with as many as 22 people who need to appear on stage at the same time for key scenes,” said Horn, whose stage wife Abigail Adams is played by Sandy Owens.
The two-hour production includes 14 songs with music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and a book by Peter Stone.
“When ‘1776’ was revived on Broadway in 2022, and then sent out on national tour earlier this year for 2023, we were worried we wouldn’t be allowed to keep the licensing for the rights,” Angie Lowe said.
Gary J. Mion plays Ben Franklin and Grant Fitch portrays John Hancock with James Rhoten as Richard Henry Lee.
“We are so excited to welcome both Mark Edwards and Darryl Carstensen to our stage since they were both in our very first ‘1776’ production 47 years ago when they were both still students at Lake Central High School,” Angie Lowe said.
“Edwards is portraying Robert Sherman and Carstensen is reprising his original role as Dr. Josiah Bartlett.”
Angie Lowe said “new talents” to their stage include Louis Russo as John Dickinson, Kevin Greene as George Read, Matthew Boucher as Thomas Jefferson, Connor O’Dell as Edward Rutledge, Jim McNabney as Caesar Rodney, Mark Aken as Judge James Wilson, Freddie Rhoten as Colonel Thomas McKean, Pastor Tom Norwalk as the Reverend John Witherspoon, Tony Corsello as Mr. Thomson, the congressional secretary and Michael Casner as the courier. Sheree Wheeler-Gudeman and Shannon Jones Pierzchalski alternate in the role of Martha Jefferson.
Juanita Jarecki is musical director for the production.
In addition to the casting challenges, costuming was also a careful consideration for producing an historical musical.
“We owe a special thanks to Amy Crane from Marquette Catholic High School in Michigan City and Sandy Assarian at 4th Street Theatre in Chesterton for lending so many amazing costumes,” Angie said.
“And I think Linda Slankard and Amy Bannister made history themselves, with how many incredible wigs they had to style, while also organizing the props and costumes fittings.”
‘1776’
When: through Nov. 19
Where: Great Oaks, 13109 S. Wicker Ave., Cedar Lake
Cost: $40-$50 for dinner and show; $30-$36 for show only tickets
Information: 219-776-0888; lctg.org
Philip Potempa is a freelance reporter for The Post-Tribune.
