Set during the American Revolution, following the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Cardinal Stage Company, under the direction of creative director Randy White, transformed the 629-seat theater into the legendary room of congress.
“It is a rare thing to have a play about American history,” said White. “I think this is a really good opportunity to look at this as a founding moment of the country. We have this image of men on horseback, statues and all that fun stuff, but this takes them off of the horses, off of the walls, and makes them human.”
Given Cardinal’s previously successful productions, including this summer’s performance of “Les Miserables,” “1776” has big names to match up to, but that doesn’t concern White.
“We have a long tradition of doing big musicals and a lot of classic musicals,” he said. “I think that we have a following for doing those shows in ways that are inventive and exciting even though they might be something that you’ve seen before.”
Attendees for the opening night performance Leslie Green and Karen Freeman greatly enjoyed the performance, but for different reasons.
Green enjoyed the artistic and musical aesthetics that “1776” brought to life and Freeman was impressed by the historical aspect.
“I came to see “1776” because I really like history and music,” said Green. “It’s staged really well, I like the dynamics and it’s really holding my interest.”
Freeman agreed and said, “I love it, I love any musical. I like that I can come and see a well-done production right here in town and I can get a glimpse into what life would have looked like back then.”
Although the audience seemed impressed in the tense and witty scenes enfolding before them, White shared the hidden secrets to the success of “1776.”
“This show is a perfect example of what we like to do: take the best local actors of Bloomington, Bedford, Columbus and Martinsville and mix them with actors from outside.
We take the best of all worlds to create something that’s unique,” White said.
“1776” was composed of male performers found in Southern Indiana. The lead role of John Adams was played by Mike Price, an experienced veteran to the stage and to Cardinal’s productions.
Accompanying him was an IU professor in the theater department and IU grad Rob Johansen and IU junior Andrew Minkin.
“It’s an older musical, but it’s one that I think we’re making work for a contemporary audience,” White said. “It’s one that not many people have seen on stage. They’ve seen the movie, but it’s hard to do when it has 26 men in it. It’s hard to find that many men who can sing, act and dance.”
“You’ve got your leads, your Adams, Franklin, Jefferson and Dickinson, but there’s two women as well,” said White. “Although they’re not part of the Congress, they have remarkably important roles emotionally and comically in the play.”
White’s goal was to re-create an iconic scene in history in his own personal way: with a hard working cast, a dynamic effort and a spectacular performance.
“All of our work has been getting the rhythms right, the tone and to make sure that everyone is working together and is aware of what is going on,” White said. “‘1776,’ when it’s all said and done, is really an ensemble piece. It’s all about working together.”
