The Portland Civic Players Announce Auditions for 1776, the Musical!

The Portland Civic Players are excited to announce auditions for this year's fall production 1776, the Musical!

The award-winning musical is set in Philadelphia's hot summer of 1776. The Continental Congress is an exhausted, annoyed, quarrelsome collection of men, at each other’s throats over the question of independence from Great Britain. John Adams, the passionate crusader for rebellion, races against time: if the congress does not agree to throw off the yoke of tyranny, General Washington’s painfully outnumbered army will have no ideal for which to fight. But Adams is obnoxious and disliked -- no one will listen to his arguments. They might have a chance if Thomas Jefferson, that silver wordsmith, would write a Declaration -- but Jefferson, frustrated by his long absence from lovely wife Martha, is in no mood to be creative. And when it comes down to a final decision, the course of history hangs on whether sycophantic Judge James Wilson can remain as anonymous as possible with his vote….. Under these conditions, how will America ever achieve Independence? Peter Stone and Sherman Edwards’ 1776 is a brilliant imagining of American history, a grand tale which manages to feel both intimate and epic at once, bringing humor and humanity to the account of twenty men, three months, and one incredible argument, in which the fate of nations is decided. The score features such famous tunes as the romantic “He Plays the Violin,” the comedic “The Lees of Old Virginia,” and that plaintive memorial to young patriots, “Momma, Look Sharp.”

"This is one of my all time favorite musicals." said Director, Sara Pohl. "Using many direct quotes and sources, it brings us into the difficulty of declaring our independence and humanizes our founding fathers. It is filled with memorable characters and songs that will stick with you long after the curtain falls."

1776 music and lyrics are by Sherman Edwards, and book by Peter Stone. 1776 is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com

Auditions will be held at 7pm on August 30 & 31 at the Portland Community Theater, 231 Maple Street, Portland. Both men and women are invited to audition. Please bring your own music or a backing track, or you may visit our website at portlandcivicplayers.com for selected music and dialogue options. You may also follow Portland Civic Players on facebook.