This 1969 Tony-Award winning musical tells the story of America’s Second Continental Congress that took place in Philadelphia during the fertile but traumatic and politically charged period of time, May, June and July of 1776, leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Although the script includes actual words written by several of our famous forefathers (Franklin, Jefferson, and Adams, etc.) the work is considered a musical comedy, written with warmth and wit, and features beloved tunes like "Piddle, Twiddle and Resolve" and "He Plays the Violin."

 

Meet the Director, Keegan’s Artistic Director, Mark A. Rhea

Directing credits include: The Keegan Theatre: Faith Healer, Bold Girls, The Beauty Queen of Leenane, The Playboy of the Western World, An Island of No Land at All the Story of O’Malley of Shanganagh (World Premiere), The Hostage, Precious Lam’ (World Premiere), Waiting for the Slow Dance (World Premiere), Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (USA/IRL), Man of La Mancha, Synge with Yeats, Translations (Helen Hayes nomination for Outstanding Director), Pump Boys and Dinettes, The Field, The Notebook of Trigorin, Dancing at Lughnasa (2000 Theatre Lobby Mary Goldwater Award Outstanding Production).  Mr. Rhea recently returned from a weeklong excursion to Canada as a 2006 recipient of the Canadian Washington Theatre Partnership sponsored by  The Canadian Embassy in Washington.

 

Meet the Cast

Enhance your experience; before you go to a Keegan show - Get Ready with Olivetti! 

Keegan’s Company Dramaturg has compiled interesting facts for you to learn more about 1776.