1776
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Stephenson, Lederman
Photo by Ed Krieger
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By Joseph N. Feinstein
As a former American History teacher, all I thought about while watching the fabulous performance of 1776 at the Crossley Theatre was how absolutely important it would be for any and every high school student to see this show in order to understand the excruciating pain and difficulty it took to create our country's independence. With an ensemble of thirty actors and musicians, the story of the creation of the United States of America is told poignantly, accurately, and meaningfully in this timely, two-hour-plus pageant.
We learn how significant the role of John Adams (Bruce Ladd) is in the struggle to gain freedom. Certainly, Adams, Thomas Jefferson (Ben Hensley), and Benjamin Franklin (Larry Lederman) carry the ball in urging, cajoling, and begging the other delegates of the Continental Congress to stand together, united, in their opposition to England. Between the words, music, and fine acting, your heart, like mine, will swell with profound emotion as the play evolves.
Each of the scenes of the play are performed uncommonly well: the songs help keep the action moving forward; the acting could not be better; the text is ripe with humor and pathos; the direction, by Richard Israel, keeps the actors in character, showing us their fears as they grapple with their egos and each other. Also, the lighting design by Lisa Katz is realistic, creating the feel of the intense heat of the closed chamber during the summer months. A. Jeffery Shoenberg's costume design feels accurate, head to toe, and the sound created by Cricket S. Meyers is audible in any part of the theater.
When the curtain descends, we are grateful because this amazing production has given us an insight into the birthing pains of our nation. I would be amazed if this play doesn't win all the Ovation Awards in its category at next year's ceremony.
Some of the finest scenes include:
1. The intense heat the delegates suffer by keeping the windows closed so that the flies would not get into the Chamber.
2. The selection of the person to actually write the Declaration and the possibility of offending someone by what is written.
3. The absence of the delegates from their wives and property and the toll it takes.
4. The dedication, devotion, and doubt each and every delegate feels in taking this action.
5. The arrival of Washington's news from his various battles and the mood it creates.
1776 is a must-see before March 16. And do take the children, for this story is for the entire family. You will never be more proud to be an American as you depart the theater...I promise!
1776 Crossley Theatre 1760 N. Gower Street Hollywood 90028 Tel. 323-462-8460 Plays Friday & Saturday @ 3:00 p.m.; Sunday @ 2:30 p.m. Tickets: $34; Students $20; Groups of six or more discounted rates free parking available.
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