Media Theatre Closes 2015-16 Season with 1776, Beginning Tonight

To close the 2015-16 season, The Media Theatre has a musical to lead Philadelphia into the time frame of the upcoming 2016 Democratic Convention which will be hosted by the City of Brotherly Love.

It's "1776", Peter Stone and Sherman Edwards' classic which follows John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Richard Henry Lee as they attempt to have the second Continental Congress vote for independence from the British monarchy by signing the Declaration of Independence.

With humor and insight, "1776" represents the most seminal event in our nation's history. It's a musical based in Philadelphia, about the beginnings of our American society as we know it today.

"1776" is directed by Jennie Eisenhower--the granddaughter of two Presidents, which seems very fitting-- and stars Ben Dibble as John Adams as it represents the beginnings of our freedoms to choose. It runs tonight, April 13, to May 22. (Interesting side note: The date of the first public performance, April 13, happens to be Thomas Jefferson's birthday.)

With "Hamilton" wowing crowds on Broadway, it's time to revisit the classic musical about our founding fathers.

Songs in "1776" include "Cool, Cool, Considerate Men", "Mama Look Sharp", and "Molasses to Rum". The show is appropriate for all ages and is an entertaining view of the beginnings of our nation for young audiences.

The cast of "1776" features many of Philadelphia's most popular actors including Dibble, Joseph O' Brien, Jim Conte, Nicholas Saverine, Bob Stineman, and more. Abigail Adams and Martha Jefferson are portrayed by Elyse Langley and Meredith Beck.

The entire cast is:

John Adams............ Ben Dibble

Abigail Adams........... Elyse Langley

Thomas Jefferson... Joseph O'Brien

Martha Jefferson........ Meredith Beck

Ben Franklin........... John Morrison

John Hancock........ Andrew Criss

Richard Henry Lee.... Larry Lees

Stephen Hopkins..... Jim Conte

McKean.................. Rusty Flounders

Lyman Hall............. David Nikolas

Livingston............. Patrick Ludt

Rutledge............... Luke Brahdt

John Dickinson...... Bob Stineman

Andrew McNair........ Bill Van Horn

Caesar Rodney........ Nicholas Saverine

Lewis Morris............ Dave Gold

Roger Sherman........ Jason Mangano

Courier..................... Thomas Lock

Samuel Chase.......... Mark Marano

Joseph Hewes......... Sam Nagel

George Read............ Roger Ricker

Witherspoon............ Michael Fuchs

James Wilson.......... Geoff Bruen

Josiah Bartlett...........Steven Ciapanna

Charles Thomson...... Anthony Marsala

Leather Apron........... Chris McCollum

For tickets to "1776" visit mediatheatre.org or call 610-891-0100. Group rates available.

Pictured: Ben Dibble, who portrays John Adams, in The Media Theatre's "1776" April 13 to May 22.