Photos: 1776 in Rehearsal at Paper Mill Playhouse

Rehearsals are underway for 1776, the Tony Award-winning musical next up in Paper Mill Playhouse’s 2025-2026 season. 1776 will begin performances Wednesday, April 1 at Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey. Opening night is set for Sunday, April 5 in a run continuing through Saturday, May 2. Check out rehearsal photos below!

Featuring a 17-piece orchestra, 1776 is directed by Paper Mill Producing Artistic Director Mark S. Hoebee, who reflected on the production at yesterday’s first rehearsal: “I find the piece so inspiring and uplifting. If you are in political or emotional turmoil about what is happening in our country, you can come see this show to remind yourself and those who you love, who you may not agree with, that we can make a better America moving forward.”

1776 stars Will Blum (Beetlejuice) as John Adams, John Treacy Egan (Clue and Sister Act at Paper Mill, Just in Time) as Benjamin Franklin, Edward Watts (Scandalous) as John Dickinson, James Moye (Come From Away and Bull Durham this season at Paper Mill, Tootsie) as John Hancock, Elena Shaddow (Mary Poppins and The Sound of Music at Paper Mill, The Bridges of Madison County) as Abigail Adams, Michael Burrell (Austen’s Pride First National Tour) as Thomas Jefferson, Jonathan Young (Les Misérables National Tour) as Edward Rutledge, Bryant Martin (Desperate Measures) as Richard Henry Lee, Liz Leclerc (Anything Goes at Pittsburgh CLO, Paper Mill’s Summer Conservatory alum) as Martha Jefferson, and Praise Oranika (Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 at Idaho Shakespeare Festival) as Courier.

The cast also features Joey Birchler as Lewis Morris, Jonathan Chisolm as Samuel Chase, Peyton Crim as Col. Thomas McKean, Aaron De Jesus as Robert Livingston, Sam Faustine as Dr. Lyman Hall, Philip Hoffman as Stephen Hopkins, Alec Ludacka as James Wilson, Kruz Maldonado as Leather Apron/Painter, Tuck Milligan as Andrew McNair, Stanton Morales as George Read, Jay Russell as Caesar Rodney, Bryan Seastrom as Dr. Josiah Bartlett, Paul Slade Smith as Rev. John Witherspoon, Graham Stevens as Joseph Hewes, Price Waldman as Charles Thomson, and Branch Woodman as Roger Sherman. Understudies are Noah LaPook and Claire Leyden.

Paper Mill Playhouse celebrates our nation’s 250th anniversary, and history comes to life in 1776, the Tony Award-winning musical that brings the story behind the creation of the Declaration of Independence to the stage with witty satire, compelling drama, and a thrilling score. With music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and book by Peter Stone, 1776 follows John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and their fellow delegates as they navigate fiery debates, political tensions, and personal conflicts in their struggle to unite thirteen colonies.

The creative team for 1776 also includes Nancy Renee Braun (musical staging), Jillian Zack (music direction), Kevin Rupnik (scenic design), Leon Dobkowski (costume design), Amith Chandrashaker (lighting design), Matt Kraus (sound design), Kelly James Tighe (scenic coordination & additional design), Ashley Rae Callahan (hair & wig design), and Rick Sordelet (fight choreography). Casting is by The TRC Company. Gary Mickelson is the Production Stage Manager.

Photo Credit: Rebecca J Michelson