1776: The Musical singing the '1776: The Musical' in the music video.
The musical is based on real events that took place during the signing of the Declaration of Independence in the USA. Sherman Edwards, a former high school teacher of history, has planned to make a play on this topic for a long time. He has already made the creation of several songs, including the top ten songs of a state in the late 1950s and early 1960s. Edwards worked on the libretto for about 6 years. He came up with a proposal for cooperation to Peter Stone several times, but after learning about the topic of the future musical, the dramatist refused to take part in the establishment of the production. Only hearing the author's song from the show, the writer was imbued with the idea of Edwards. Later, Stone said that from a song he learned of the Continental Congress more than he had been told at classes in school. Also, a playwright realized – the founding fathers of the USA would be shown in the musical as real people, not unreal characters. Despite the fact that the play has a lot of contrived scenes, it also contains the original phrases of the Congress delegates.
Performance of '1776: The Musical' by 1776: The Musical in the music video.
The show has the longest pause between songs that have ever appeared in musicals. In this 30-minute break, the Broadway musicians were even allowed to leave the orchestra pit. The song about the choice of an eagle as the national symbol was written at the last moment – Sherman Edwards was inspired by a poster with a hatched chick already made for the production of advertising. After the show was done, the American president Richard Nixon asked the authors to remove from the musical composition in which the wealthy delegates boasted of their wealth and power. Creators refused to do so. But from the movie of 1972, filmed on the basis of this performance, the song was cut off – R. Nixon was a friend of Jack Warner, who met the wishes of the president. The attempt to destroy these footage frames failed. In 2002, with the restoration of the picture, negatives were found with the composition cut off the film. The song was placed on a DVD together with the motion picture as a bonus.
Screenshot from the '1776: The Musical' music video, capturing the mood and meaning of the song.
The Broadway play has earned a lot of warm reviews. Critics noted that the musical was very bright and exciting. They appreciated the originality of the compositions by S. Edwards. In 1969, the Broadway production won two awards from the Drama Desk. The musical was rewarded with the New York Drama Critics' Circle, Theatre World, and Outer Critics Circle awards. The show received five Tony nominations and won 3 of them. In 1998, the second Broadway production was nominated for 1 Drama League Award. The musical has received 2 awards out of 4 categories presented at the Drama Desk. Staging was thrice nominated for the Outer Critics Circle and Tony.
The minimum box office was received in July 1997 – it amounted to 150,045 dollars. The maximum amount – $ 587,629 – was received at the end of December 1997. Creating a musical on a historical theme was quite a risky step not to avoid making the show boring. It is surprising that on this basis, the authors were able to make such a lively and energetic show!
Visual effects scene from '1776: The Musical' enhancing the experience of the song words and music.
1. The Guardian – A Call for Independence from the Original.
Alexis Soloski critiques the 2022 revival of 1776 for its lack of innovation, stating, "It has remembered the ladies. But it can’t make them live." She suggests that the production clings too closely to the original, missing an opportunity to breathe new life into the narrative.
2. Vulture – A Delight, If You Can Stand to Watch It.
James Frankie Thomas describes the revival as "an almost perversely hard sell," noting that while the diverse casting brings freshness, the production struggles to escape the shadow of Hamilton. He emphasizes that the show's attempt to modernize feels forced, making it a challenging watch for contemporary audiences.
3. Entertainment Weekly – Lively Revival with a Contemporary Twist.
Entertainment Weekly praises the revival's inclusive casting, stating that it "lends warmth and immediacy to the show." The review highlights the production's success in reimagining the musical for a modern audience, despite its minimalist set and lengthy runtime. The innovative approach is seen as a celebration of diversity and a fresh take on American history.
Conclusion.
The 2022 revival of 1776 has elicited a range of responses. While some critics appreciate the inclusive casting and contemporary perspective, others feel the production fails to fully revitalize the original material. The mixed reviews underscore the challenges of reinterpreting classic works for modern audiences.
Questions and Answers.
What is the main criticism of the 2022 revival of 1776?
Critics argue it clings too tightly to the original, lacking emotional depth and narrative innovation.
What stands out about the casting in the 1776 revival?
The production features diverse, gender-expansive casting, bringing a new lens to historical figures.
How does the 2022 revival compare to Hamilton?
Many reviewers compare it unfavorably, saying 1776 feels restrained and struggles to feel contemporary.
Is the new staging of 1776 considered effective?
Some find the minimalist set effective, while others think it lacks the visual engagement of past revivals.
What emotional impact does the show aim for?
It tries to inject immediacy and inclusion, but critics feel it doesn’t consistently land emotionally.
