This show will be held at the Congregational Church of Mansfield, 17 West St., Mansfield. All tickets are general admission.

In celebration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of Mansfield.

Witness the birth of a nation as our forefathers struggle to craft the Declaration of Independence.

The seminal event in American history blazes to vivid life in this most unconventional of Broadway hits. 1776 puts a human face on the pages of history as we see the men behind the national icons: proud, frightened, uncertain, irritable, charming, often petty and ultimately noble figures, determined to do the right thing for a fledgling nation.

It’s the summer of 1776, and the nation is ready to declare independence… if only our founding fathers can agree to do it! 1776 follows John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia as they attempt to convince the members of the Second Continental Congress to vote for independence from the shackles of the British monarchy by signing the Declaration of Independence.

1776 is a funny, insightful and compelling drama with a striking score and legendary book.

Still seeking some cast members:

Congratulations to the cast of 1776, shown below. Tremendous talent came out for this production and we are thrilled to begin. We are still looking for actors to play the following cameo roles. Come and add your voice to this impressive group. ALL actors regardless of race or gender are encouraged to audition.

Dr. Josiah Bartlett (New Hampshire) – Caring, thoughtful, and civic-minded. A physician and politician, Bartlett was calm under pressure and deeply committed to public service, both during and after the Revolution.

Reverend John Witherspoon (New Jersey) – Scholarly, principled, and devout. A Presbyterian minister and educator, Witherspoon brought moral authority and academic rigor to the Congress. He was a strong advocate for republican ideals.

Colonel Thomas McKean (Delaware) – Thick Scottish accent. Argumentative and very loud. Tough, decisive, and determined. A revolutionary firebrand, McKean supported independence early and served in multiple roles. He could be forceful and confrontational when needed.

George Read (Delaware) – Conservative, legalistic, and steady. Initially opposed to independence, Read prioritized order and legality. He was respected for his judicial temperament and dedication to rule of law. He argues with members of his own delegation. He always seconds the motions of the opposition (those against Independence).

Joseph Hewes (North Carolina) – Industrious, loyal, and pragmatic. A businessman turned patriot, Hewes was efficient and supportive of the war effort, contributing significantly to naval affairs. His main characteristic is that he is always deferring to Edward Rutledge of South Carolina and does not seem to have much independent thought for himself. He is against Independence.

Samuel Chase (Maryland) – Fiery, passionate, and sometimes abrasive. Chase was a strong defender of colonial rights and spoke with great energy and emotion. Later became a controversial Supreme Court Justice. Exposed singing.

CAST IN ROLES:

John Hancock: Mike Durkay
John Adams: Ken Butler
Stephen Hopkins: Ty Waterman
Roger Sherman: Alex Rothstein
Lewis Morris: Bob Saquet
Robert Livingston: Ken Moore
Benjamin Franklin: Pete Molitor
John Dickinson: Brian Wolfe-Leonard
James Wilson: Ingrid Larson
Caesar Rodney: Doug McDougal
Richard Henry Lee: Matt List
Thomas Jefferson: Patrick Murphy
Edward Rutledge: Rebecca Muller
Dr. Lyman Hall: Leslie Nevola
Charles Thompson: Danica Aldrich
Andrew McNair: Kevin Groppe
Abigail Adams: Sara Delong
Martha Jefferson: Karoline Brechter
A Leather Apron: Benjamin Fleming
A Painter: Maggie Ault
A Courier: Daniel Fleming