Diva Productions at The Olde Brick, in cooperation with Actors Circle, will relive history when it presents the musical 1776 from June 19th to 28th at the West Scranton Intermediate School.
1776, a musical with music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and a book by Peter Stone, brings the signing of the Declaration of Independence to life, full of sharp dialogue, stirring music, and moments of humor and heart. 1776 tells the story of the debates, compromises and larger-than-life personalities behind the founding of the nation.
The stage production will engage Paige Balitski as Artistic Director, Max Roche as Musical Director, and will be choreographed by Mollie Boyd.
Actors will have a rare opportunity to portray the United States’ founding fathers including John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin. Auditions will take place on March 1st from 4-7 pm, March 2nd from 7-9 pm, and March 3rd from 7-9 pm at The Olde Brick Theatre, 126 West Market Street, Scranton PA. All roles are open. Individuals can choose to audition any day.
The musical calls for male and female cast members, ages 16 and up. Those who audition should come prepared to sing one minute of a song from a musical. They are encouraged to sing along to music provided by the auditioner in the form of sheet music or an MP3 instead of singing a cappella. The auditions will also include a reading form the script and simple stage movement.
If an in-person audition isn’t feasible on the scheduled dates, please contact Diva Productions at (570)209-7766 or
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Principal Characters – 1776
John Adams (Massachusetts) – Age 41. High baritone or medium tenor, strong oratory skills, brilliant mind, bold and brash personality, slight Boston dialect. Not tall. The running joke throughout the show is that he is “obnoxious and disliked,” but actually he must have a magnetic quality that commands respect from his fellow members of Congress. Harvard graduate, experienced lawyer. Sings several duets with his wife, Abigail. Huge amounts of dialogue.
Benjamin Franklin (Pennsylvania)- He is an energetic, older man, 70 years old, but often acts much younger. Baritone or low tenor. Franklin is pleasant, philosophical, boyish, often funny, but he does show his anger and seriousness in a couple of scenes. Can be played by a rich bass voice or a slightly raspy baritone-tenor. Must have excellent acting skills—this man is a highly experienced statesman, diplomat, inventor, writer, humorist, and philosopher. Large amounts of dialogue.
Thomas Jefferson (Virginia) -33 years old. Medium tenor or high baritone. Jefferson is a man of few words, but when he speaks, he commands attention. Should be taller than average. Pensive, quiet, strong silent type. Sense of humor. Architect, writer, farmer, scientist, statesman, lawyer, violin player.
John Dickinson (Pennsylvania) -Age 44. Baritone. Dickinson is the primary adversary of the show, portrayed as opposing Independence. He has lots of dialogue, but only one major solo (“Cool, Cool, Considerate Men”). He represents the conservative side of Congress, the wealthy landowners who do not want to break from Great Britain.
Edward Rutledge (South Carolina) -26 years old. Strong Baritone. Must be a commanding actor, with excellent oratory skills. He is the secondary antagonist role, next to Mr. Dickinson. Youngest member of Congress. Speaks with an elegant, educated South Carolina accent. Has the most dramatic song in the show, the sarcastic and riveting “Molasses to Rum to Slaves” which showcases the hypocrisy of the North regarding slavery and the triangle trade. Statesman, lawyer. Large amounts of dialogue.
Abigail Adams -32 years old. Soprano or Mezzo. Abigail’s tone is one of maturity, intellectual support, and strong encouragement to her husband, John Adams. She is quieter and calmer than Martha Jefferson, and less flirtatious, but with a subtle sense of humor. She appears in three songs, all duets with John Adams. She cannot touch him, since they are communicating via letters, but she sits onstage with him, and converses with him naturally. In real life, Abigail’s letters are filled with highly intellectual discussions on government, politics, and the economics of running their farm, and they provide a valuable eyewitness account of the American Revolution. She has lots of dialogue in the show.
Martha Jefferson -27 years old. Mezzo or Soprano. Martha is flirtatious, young, and attractive. She is well aware that she causes a stir among the men who are present (Adams and Franklin), but she is fiercely devoted to her husband, Thomas Jefferson. She appears in only one extended scene, and sings “He Plays the Violin.” Her one scene often steals the show, and can be very memorable. In real life, Martha died at the young age of 33, and at her request, Jefferson never re-married. Some dialogue, in one scene only.
Richard Henry Lee (Virginia) -Age 45. Usually played by a strong baritone. Although he appears in several scenes with the rest of Congress, his one solo song often steals the show, and is the song that won the original Broadway actor a Tony Award (he reprised the role in the movie). Speaks and sings with a noticeable country/Southern twang. His song is a bragging song about all of the famous Lees in his family tree. Some dialogue.
Charles Thomson (congressional clerk and secretary) -Age 47. In the show, he reads all the letters from General George Washington, introduces each item up for vote, gives minutes from previous sessions of Congress, and has one short solo when he reads a final letter from General George Washington. He has quite a bit of dialogue. Actor must be able to sound very efficient in reading letters and in rattling off long lists of congressional duties and committees.
Andrew McNair (congressional custodian and bell-ringer) -Age unknown. Baritone. In the show, he is portrayed as a quirky, exasperated middle-aged man who lights the fires and candles, opens and closes the windows, fills the ink wells, and keeps the Continental Congress meeting room clean, in addition to ringing the Liberty Bell. He is supervisor to the young boy known as the Leather Apron apprentice, who is learning McNair’s job. McNair’s additional job is to fetch mugs of rum, mostly for Stephen Hopkins of Rhode Island. He has lots of dialogue in the show.
John Hancock (President of Congress, Massachusetts) -Age 40. Has quite a lot of dialogue, sings in opening number and has a short solo in “Cool, Cool Considerate Men.”
Stephen Hopkins (Rhode Island) -Age 70. Crusty old geezer who loves his rum. Supporter of Independence. Has a moderate amount of dialogue. Sings in opening number. Has an active part in the show and is always one of the most memorable characters. Usually portrayed in black Quaker hat and coat, and with long silver hair.
Reverend John Witherspoon (New Jersey) -Age 56. Lead delegate from New Jersey. Has moderate amount of dialogue. No major solos, but sings in opening number. Supporter of Independence. Congressional Chaplain.
Dr. Lymon Hall (Georgia) -Age 52. Physician and pastor. Moderate amount of dialogue. Has an important dramatic scene toward the end of the show.
This production of 1776 is being made possible through a generous grant from The Pennsylvania Commission for the United States Semiquincentennial (America250PA). America250PA was established by the legislature and Governor in 2018 to plan, encourage, develop, and coordinate the commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, Pennsylvania’s integral role in that event and the impact of its people on the nation’s past, present, and future.
1776 is presented through special arrangement with Music Theater International.
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