In the heart of the election season, Marriott Theatre in Lincolnshire will take audiences back to the beginning with “1776,” to see how the founding fathers crafted the Declaration of Independence.
The Tony Award-winning musical by Peter Stone (book) and Sherman Edwards (music and lyrics) will run from Aug. 21 to Oct. 13 at the theater in Lincolnshire.
Performances are 1 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sundays, plus select performances at 1 p.m. on Thursdays.
“I’m a history nut,” declared director Nick Bowling. “I love learning about history because that’s what my other company TimeLine Theatre, where I’m associate artistic director and which I helped found, is all about.”
Bowling admitted that he always found history boring on the page. “I love shows that bring history to life,” he said. “This show particularly is incredibly funny, romantic, and playful, but also dark. It hits a lot of emotions. It’s full of edge-of-your-seat, nail-biting moments, and also great romance and humor, and insight into our founding fathers and their foibles.”
In casting the show, Bowling wanted to create a Congress that looks like our Congress today so there are people of color and women in roles that would traditionally be cast with white men.
“It seemed exciting to see those men, through the eyes not just of other white men, but through the eyes of women and people of color,” Bowling said. They are playing the actual men who debated about the Declaration of Independence, however.
Tyrick Wiltez Jones, who plays John Adams, admitted, “This is a part I never thought I’d play.” But because of Bowling’s concept, he cast Jones, who is Black, in the role. The actor, who has Broadway and national touring credits, had several offers but chose to accept this role because “This was the one that scared me,” he said.
Jones described the founding father he plays as “persistent and brave.” He then laughingly added, “Also obnoxious and disliked.” Fortunately, that’s not type-casting, although Jones jokingly declared that Adams was, “A lot like myself.”
Through preparing for his role Jones learned that Adams had a soft side with his wife and family.
He also discovered that Adams was one of the few members of Congress, from the South or the North, who never owned slaves. That makes the part of the show where Adams discusses slavery a bit of a challenge for Jones because he has to convey the way a white man would react to this discussion.
The actor thinks this show is relevant today because it’s an election year but also because, he said, “I think a lot of us are confused on history and what our forefathers intended. Everyone will learn something from it and enjoy the storytelling and be entertained as well.”
Katherine Thomas, who plays John Adams’ wife, described Abigail Adams as “the truest Renaissance woman. She raised five kids. She took care of this whole farm that John Adams had while he was away with Congress for years. She did so much for her family on her own and, at the same time, she was so smart. She wasn’t afraid to give her opinions to her husband. I think he valued her opinions and advice.”
Thomas said that she rarely plays actual historical people so, with this role, “I don’t have to create this character from ground up. It’s more about my interpretation of this real person.”
The actor has been doing extensive research to honor this historical figure, however.
Thomas is only in three scenes in the musical. Her challenge, she noted, is to make it apparent during her short times on stage that Abigail was meaningful to her husband’s success.
Thomas praised the diverse casting of the founding fathers in this show saying that it “is driving home the fact that they’re coming from such different mindsets.”
Myrna Petlicki is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
‘1776’
When: Aug. 21-Oct. 13
Where: Marriott Theatre, 10 Marriott Drive, Lincolnshire
Tickets: $60-$73
Information: 847-634-0200; marriotttheatre.com