The FAC Presents 1776, 5/13-6/5

The Fine Arts Center Theatre Company presents 1776, an family-friendly Broadway hit musical based on the events leading to the writing and signing of the Declaration of Independence at the SaG?Ji Theatre from May 13 - June 5.

The musical is set in the summer of 1776 and the nation is ready to declare independence; if only the members of the second Continental Congress - including Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Ben Franklin - can agree to vote to free their fledgling nation from the shackles of the British monarchy by signing the Declaration of Independence. Winner of the Tony Award for Best Musical, 1776 is a funny, insightful, and compelling musical drama that puts a human face on the pages of history.

"1776 is a striking musical, consistently exciting, entertaining, with style, humanity,
wit, and passion. I recommend it without reservation." - New York Times

"I remember seeing this show several years ago and it is so well written," said Tim Muldrew, the Fine Arts Center Interim Co-Director of Performing Arts, who directs 1776. "While watching this show on Broadway, I was amazed to find myself sitting on the edge of my seat never knowing if the colonies were going to approve the Declaration. I know my American history; I know that the Declaration of Independence was accepted by the Continental Congress on July 4th, and yet this brilliant and compelling story made me wonder if they ever were going to get it done!"

Our ‘Founding Fathers' are played by Cory Moosman (John Adams), Marco Robinson (Thomas Jefferson) and Colin Alexander (Ben Franklin). Moosman was last seen as Max Bialystock in the Fine Arts Center's successful production of The Producers. Robinson was awarded the Gold Award for Best Actor in The Gazette's "Best of the Springs" in 2010; he has performed in the FAC's Sweeney Todd and Crazy For You. Alexander is making his FAC debut after years as an Equity Actor in London. He recently played Mr. Fezziwig in A Christmas Carol at the Arvada Center for the Performing Arts.

The cast also features Jeremy Joynt (John Hancock) and Max Ferguson (Edward Rutledge), who starred in the FAC's An Ideal Husband; Kevin Rorke (John Dickinson), John Sterling Walker (Richard Henry Lee), Jen Lennon (Abigail Adams) and Halee Towne (Martha Jefferson).

Muldrew made his FAC directorial debut last spring with the smash hit, Crazy For You, which ranks third in theatre company history for most attended musical. His past directing experience includes The Weir, Six Degrees of Separation, Oklahoma, Bye! Bye! Birdie, and Side Man. Muldrew also worked as an Equity Stage Manager in Los Angeles on productions of Oliver!, Cinderella, Twice Upon A Time (World Premiere) and the L.A. Ovation Award winning Miss Saigon. In 2010, Muldrew named the city's "Cultural White Knight" by the Colorado Springs Independent.

The rest of the creative team includes Christopher L Sheley (Scenic Design), Holly Anne Rawls (Lighting Design), Diana Ben-Kiki (Hair and Make-Up Design), Janson Fangio (Costume Design), Breton Parks Christopherson (Sound Design), and Desarae Buza (Properties Masters). The production stage manager is Dorothy Heedt-Moosman. Sheley and Rawls are both recent Denver Post ‘Ovation Award' winners.

This production is the season finale for the FAC Theatre Company, who have set several attendance records this season, including most subscribers, most subscription revenue, the biggest musical of all-time (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) and set the record for biggest play ever ... twice (An Ideal Husband and The Women).

Discounted Saturday Family Matinees
There will be three discounted Saturday Family Matinees for 1776, including May 21, 28 and June 4.

Tickets and Show times
Thursday 7:30 p.m. $26 FAC members; $31 non-members
Friday, Saturday 7:30 p.m. $30 FAC members; $35 non-members
Saturday Family Matinee 2:00 p.m. $23 FAC members; $25 non-members
$18 FAC members (ages 5-12); $20 non-members (ages 5-12)
Sunday 2:00 p.m. $26 FAC members; $31 non-members

Need more Colorado Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Summer season, discounts & more...