1776 1969 - Articles Page 1.8

Ages: 6+
Opened: March 16, 1969
Closing: February 13, 1972

1776 - 1969 - Broadway History , Info & More

Majestic Theatre (Broadway)
245 West 44th St. New York, NY

Based on a conception of Sherman Edwards

The Tony Award winning musical 1776 is based on the events leading up to the drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence. John Adams, disliked by many in Congress, joins Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson to bring forward a resolution for independence that will eventually set America free from England's tyranny. Powerful performances by a cast of 25, and an impeccably crafted script make 1776 as relevant today as it was when first written. 1776 delivers a riveting evening of theatre filled with history, humor, heart and romance.

Get 1776 Email Alerts

Be the first to get ticket offers, news, photos & more.

What's On Stage This Summer? Check Out Our Guide To Theatre Across The Country!
by Alan Henry - Apr 24, 2021


We've rounded up some of the top productions on stage this summer! Find something near you to see using our comprehensive guide below!

Student Blog: Zodiac Signs of Tony-Nominated Musicals
by Student Blogger: Madison Moore - Mar 22, 2021


The criteria are that these shows have been nominated for Best Musical from the 3rd Tony Awards (the ceremony that started the Best Musical category) in 1949 to the nominations of what will now be the 74th Tony Awards in 2021. I will be determining their signs based upon their Broadway premiere date. With those rules in mind, here we go!

UN DÍA COMO HOY: 1776 se estrenaba en Broadway
by Cristina Martinez - Mar 16, 2021


Un 16 de marzo de 1969, el 46th Street Theatre, ahora conocido como Richard Rodgers, 1776 se estrenaba por primera vez en Broadway.

VIDEO: On This Day, March 16- 1776 Opens on Broadway
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 16, 2021


On this day in 1969, American history came to life on Broadway with the original production of 1776.

Celebrating Women's History Month: Women in Theatre Through the Decades: 1960s-1970s
by A.A. Cristi - Mar 8, 2021


With Women in Theatre Through the Decades, we will be highlighting the vital role that women have played in theatre history, showcasing those who paved the way and who continue to make history today. This week, we are highlighting the accomplishments of women in theatre throughout the 1960s and the 1970s!

VIDEO: American Repertory Theater Hosts 1776: THE AUDACITY TO EXIST
by Stephi Wild - Nov 3, 2020


1776. A defining year in the history of this country. A Tony Award-winning musical that premiered in 1969 at the height of the Vietnam War. A bold new revival production coming to the American Repertory Theater at Harvard University, Broadway, and theaters across the country.

Jackie Burns, Jeremy Kushnier, Micaela Diamond and More Set for New York Theatre Barn's September Virtual Programming
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 1, 2020


New York Theatre Barn will continue to host weekly free live streams of its New Works Series each Wednesday evening at 7PM ET. Upcoming September installments of the series include excerpts from the new musicals A Walk On The Moon, Walt and Roy, We Live In Cairo, Loch Ness and more.

Theater Stories: HAMILTON Tidbits, Tony Award Records and More About the Richard Rodgers Theatre!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 28, 2020


It is impossible to walk into a Broadway theatre, or simply just think of a Broadway theatre, without immediately connecting a memory to it. Every Broadway theatre is filled with a rich and colorful history, brimming over with stories of the stars who graced its staged, legends that were made within its walls, and more.

Broadway Rewind: Celebrate Independence Day with Scenes from Encores! 1776
by Nicole Rosky - Jul 4, 2020


Today we rewind to 2016, when Encores! Off Center presented Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone's 1776, starring Santino Fontana, John Larroquette, John Behlmann, Christianne Noll, Nikki Renée Daniels, and Bryce Pinkham.

Peter H. Hunt, Director of 1776, Dies at 81
by Stephi Wild - Apr 26, 2020


BroadwayWorld is saddened to report that Peter H. Hunt, director and lighting designer for the theatre, has died. He was 81 years old. Hunt was best known as the director of both the stage and screen versions of the musical 1776. 

The 101 Greatest Showtunes from 1920-2020
by Peter Nason - Mar 19, 2020


How do we make a list of the 101 greatest show tunes from the past 100 years? Well, we did the near-impossible task.  Check out our full list here! 

BWW Interview: Laurence Maslon Opens Up About His Third Edition of BROADWAY: THE AMERICAN MUSICAL
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Mar 10, 2020


Emmy Award-nominated writer Laurence Maslon is the co-author of the musical theater tome 'Broadway: The American Musical'. The third edition of the fascinating, comprehensive book has just been published, updated through last season to include The Book of Mormon, Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, Hadestown, and more!

The Great American Songbook Foundation Will Host a Monthly Saturday Open House at its Songbook Exhibit Gallery
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 2, 2020


The Great American Songbook Foundation Will Host a Monthly Saturday Open House at its Songbook Exhibit Gallery this year to make a timely new exhibit available to more visitors.

The Great American Songbook Foundation Will Present Historical Exhibit 'Of Thee I Sing: Politics on Stage'
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Nov 8, 2019


With a momentous national election just a year away, the Great American Songbook Foundation has assembled an interactive historical exhibit exploring the intersection of politics, patriotism and entertainment in the world of musical theater - and it didn't start with Hamilton.

BWW Review: HELLO, DOLLY! At the Kennedy Center Opera House - A Little Bit of Nostalgia
by Charles Shubow - Jun 12, 2019


I had never seen a professional production of HELLO, DOLLY! until now. I recall the 1969 film with Walter Matthau and Barbra Streisand. I did see the play it is based on, THE MATCHMAKER by Thornton Wilder at the Williamstown Theatre Festival and really did not enjoy it.

Did You Know... Our Favorite Fun Facts About the 2019 Tony Nominees!
by Alan Henry - Apr 30, 2019


Over the course of each Broadway season, unexpected and unique storylines inevitably pop up. This morning, with the announcement of the 2019 Tony Award nominations, a number of new narratives have come to life.

Press Agent And Broadway Executive Harvey Sabinson Dies
by Stephi Wild - Apr 20, 2019


Harvey Sabinson, one of Broadway's legendary press agents, and former long-time executive director of The Broadway League, died on April 18, 2019 of natural causes at his residence in Sarasota, Florida. He was 94 years old.

Meet the Cast of INK- Now in Previews!
by Julie Musbach - Apr 2, 2019


MTC's INK begins previews tonight, April 2 prior to a Wednesday, April 24 opening night at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street). Get to know the cast below as they begin Broadway performances!

BWW Review: 1776 Offers an Inside Look at the Imperfect Men Who First Strived For a More Perfect Union
by Shari Barrett - Jan 31, 2019


Having seen the musical HAMILTON when it was in Los Angeles, like many others I learned more important details about the founding fathers while watching it than I felt I had ever learned in school. Lin-Manuel Miranda who created that uber-successful musical in 2015, has said that 1776 THE MUSICAL, written in 1969, during another time of political and social unrest in the United States, has 'one of the best books-if not the best-ever written for musical theatre.' And now I can say I certainly agree with him. In fact, The perfect way to prove the arts can teach valuable history lessons to its audiences is by encouraging everyone to see 1776 THE MUSICAL, presented by La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment with musical direction by Jeff Rizzo and impeccably directed & staged by Glenn Casale through Sunday, February 3, 2019 at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts or at The Soraya at CSUN from Friday, February 8 through Sunday, February 10.

1776 The Musical Comes To The Soraya Next Month
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 28, 2019


La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts and McCoy Rigby Entertainment present the award-winning and revolutionary 1776 THE MUSICAL at the Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (The Soraya), February 8 through 10. 1776 THE MUSICAL, the Tony Award winner for Best Musical (1969) and has music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and book by Peter Stone. It is directed by Glenn Casale with musical direction by Jeff Rizzo.

Porchlight Announces Cast And Crew Of Porchlight Revisits CAN CAN
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 11, 2019


Porchlight Music Theatre continues its "lost" musicals in staged concert series with Porchlight Revisits Can-Can, music and lyrics by Cole Porter and book by Abe Burrows with direction by Adrian Abel Azevedo, musical direction by Linda Madonia and choreography by Shanna VanDerwerker.  Porchlight Revisits Can-Can is presented for three performances-only Wednesday, March 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, March 7 at 2 p.m. and  7:30 p.m. at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street. Two-show discounted subscriptions and single tickets for $37 are available at porchlightmusictheatre.org or by calling the Porchlight Music Theatre box office at 773.777.9884.

BWW Review: 1776: A Musical For The Ages
by Nancy Grossman - Dec 6, 2018


1776 is a show that appreciates in value and import when viewed in the context of its time. It opened on Broadway in 1969 when Richard Nixon was president, the controversial war in Vietnam raged on, and civil unrest was the domestic order of the day. With that backdrop, it's popularity was unexpected, yet it ran for 1,217 performances and won three Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Seems like an ideal time for a remount of the story of our Founding Fathers, and the New Repertory Theatre production has found a formula to make it fresh, exhilarating, and inclusive.

Photo Flash: Porchlight Music Theatre Revisits 1776
by A.A. Cristi - Nov 14, 2018


Porchlight Music Theatre begins its sixth season of Chicago's "lost" musicals in staged concert series with Porchlight Revisits 1776, music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and book by Peter Stone with direction by Artistic Director Michael Weber, musical direction by Jeremy Ramey and musical staging by Michelle Lauto. Porchlight Revisits 1776 is presented for only three performances Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 7:30 p.m. and Thursday, Nov. 15 at 2 and 7:30 p.m. at The Ruth Page Center for the Arts, 1016 N. Dearborn Street. Tickets for 1776 are available now for $37, subscriptions to the three performance series including 1776, Can-Can, March 6 and 7, 2019 and Minnie's Boys, May 22 and 23, 2019 are $90/per person and available at porchlightmusictheatre.org or by calling the Porchlight Music Theatre box office at 773.777.9884.

Porchlight Announces Its Largest Cast For Porchlight Revisits The 50th Anniversary
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 2, 2018


Porchlight Music Theatre begins its sixth season of Chicago's "lost" musicals in staged concert series with Porchlight Revisits 1776, music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and book by Peter Stone with direction by Artistic Director Michael Weber, musical direction by Jeremy Ramey and musical staging by Michelle Lauto.

Photo Flash: Laura Bell Bundy and the Cast of SWEET CHARITY Celebrate Opening Night at Reprise 2.0
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 22, 2018


REPRISE 2.0 (led by Producing Artistic Director Marcia Seligson), in association with the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television's Department of Theater (UCLA TFT) chaired by Brian Kite, presents its inaugural production of Sweet Charity.  Directed and choreographed by Kathleen Marshall with musical direction by Gerald Sternbach, the classic Broadway hit plays through July 1 at UCLA's Freud Playhouse. Take a look at photos from the show's opening night below!

Videos