The Barn Players to Present Gender-Inclusive Production of 1776
The reimagining of the Tony-winning musical runs August 8–17 in Overland Park, Kansas.
By: A.A. Cristi Aug. 01, 2025
The Barn Players will present a gender-inclusive production of 1776, opening August 8 at the Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center in Overland Park, KS. This groundbreaking staging of the Tony Award-winning musical by Peter Stone and Sherman Edwards runs through August 17 and offers a fresh, urgent perspective on America’s founding.
In this reimagined production, gender-diverse performers portray the nation’s founders, amplifying the show’s themes of justice, resistance, and representation. By recontextualizing the historical drama with a contemporary, inclusive lens, the production aims to engage 21st-century audiences in conversation about whose voices shape our democracy.
“1776 has always been about courageous, flawed people standing up for a vision of freedom,” said representatives from The Barn Players. “By casting this story through a gender-diverse ensemble, we’re bringing new immediacy to those ideals—and inviting everyone into the conversation.”
With its witty, fast-paced book and rousing score, 1776 brings to life the debates that led to the Declaration of Independence. This production honors the original’s historical weight while offering a revolutionary take on who gets to stand at the table.
Wichita Awards - Live Stats
Best Musical - Top 3
1.
FIDDLER ON THE ROOF (Wichita Community Theatre)
21.9% of votes
2.
NEWSIES (Music Theatre Wichita)
15.8% of votes
3.
MATILDA THE MUSICAL (Newton community theatre)
13.8% of votes
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