Morrisville celebrates '1776'

From the Trenton Times. Don't forget the show tonight at the Williamson Park pavilion at 8 P.M..

History at home: Morrisville celebrates '1776' By ANITA DONOVAN
Friday, August 22, 2008

July 1776 was hot and humid in the Delaware Valley. In Philadelphia, the Continental Congress, approximately 40 representatives of the 13 rebellious colonies, sat debating submission or revolution, while war already raged from Boston and New York to South Carolina. The supporters of independence -- the argumentative Boston attorney John Adams, Virginia's shy but articulate Thomas Jefferson and Philadelphia's resident genius Benjamin Franklin -- urged the adoption of a "declaration" of separation from Great Britain, while John Dickinson of Pennsylvania, and southern slave holders Joseph Hewes and Edward Rutledge demurred. The rest of the delegates hung suspended in perplexity, while Gen. George Washington conducted what already looked like a losing battle.

We know the outcome of the Congress, but the Declaration did not make independence happen overnight. Six months later, in an already venerable settlement on the Delaware River, Robert Morris, a financier of the revolution, lent his rural mansion Summerseat to Washington to serve as the jumping off place for the December 1776 sneak attack against the British at Trenton.

This weekend, Morrisville Borough, named for Morris in 1804, honors its singular role in America's birth with two free performances of Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone's musical reenactment of that fateful July, "1776." Presented by Morrisville's resident theater company, Actors' NET of Bucks County, the show will take place at 8 p.m. today and tomorrow at the riverfront's Williamson Park.

"You could say that '1776' is our signature show," says NET managing director Joe Doyle, who plays John Adams in the production.

"This is the sixth time we have staged '1776.' We've done three productions indoors at the Heritage Center, our first one outdoors in Williamson Park in summer 2004 -- in conjunction with 'The Man Who Bought a Country,' my own historical musical about Robert Morris," says Doyle. "Then we staged a production at the Washington Crossing Open Air Theatre in 2005. We took a break from history last year, doing 'You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown' in the park. But now we're back to '1776' at Williamson."

As in the past, the Morrisville Borough Council is sponsoring this production. Doyle admits it isn't easy taking the show outside and breaking it down after each performance. In the past, the Actors' NET crew hauled light and sound equipment from their theater opposite the Park. This year, they were able to borrow sound gear from the borough and lights from area producer Joe Martin.

"The vast majority of our cast this year are repeaters from past runs of the show," says director Cheryl Doyle, "making it quite easy to reassemble."

Mary Liz Ivins portrays Abigail Adams, singing the beautiful love song "Till Then" with husband John. Jim Petro plays Jefferson and Kyla Marie Mostello, as Martha Jefferson, is thrilled when her husband "plays the violin."

The performers are just as enthusiastic about the sixth performance of their roles as they were for the first several.

"There are a few roles that I don't mind doing endlessly," says Steve Lobis, playing the obdurate Pennsylvania delegate Dickinson, "and this is one of them." To him, "1776" is a wonderful combination of fact and entertainment.

"Peter Stone's book may take some artistic license with historic detail, but I find the accuracy of facts and quotes is quite impressive," he notes. "It's a great treat for those of us who love both musical theater and history."

Marco Newton, who has portrayed the crusty custodian An drew McNair in all six productions, also loves doing the show. His character is primarily comical, but he represents the common man amongst the high profile delegates making the big decisions.

"The words and delivery are branded on my consciousness. For me, it seems like the history lesson a kid would prefer over a boring lecture. The way '1776' is presented makes kids interested in the past in a way they never would ordinarily be.

"From the play, we realize our founding fathers had personalities, issues, libidos, egos -- they weren't just men in funny wigs, as they are usually portrayed."

For Doyle, the role of Adams brings together the historic and the personal.'Honestly, from the first time I read the script. Mr. Adams spoke to me. I strongly identify with his personality -- flaws and all," says Doyle, who also has served for several years as an interpreter of the Adams persona for Philadelphia's American Historical Theatre. "I understand what it is to be pushy, headstrong and passionate over something I fervently believe in, so when people react adversely, like Adams, I feel misunderstood."

Although the script jokes that Adams is "obnoxious and disliked," history shows he was highly respected by his peers.

Apparently, Doyle's perception of Adams comes across to the audience. While speaking as Adams at an AHT forum, Doyle was approached by newly naturalized citizens who thanked him -- as if he really was Adams -- for what the Founding Fathers did to create and secure our nation.

"You can't help being moved when something like that happens. All you can do is tell them -- as Adams might have -- that it was an honor to perform these duties."

Probably Doyle's favorite compliment came from a youngster who saw "1776" and solemnly announced that he planned to grow up to be "like John Adams."

"The most memorable of all our shows was July 4, 2004," recalls Doyle. At one point, Adams sings jubilantly about the future of America. "Just as I sang the line, 'I see fireworks, I see the pageantry, the pomp and parade,' from across the river in Trenton the sky was suddenly illuminated by fireworks -- as if on cue. An amazing moment. Or, as John Adams would say,'Incredible!"'

The show is appropriate for all ages. Playgoers may bring blankets or chairs or sit on bleachers. Free parking is on site and along the riverfront.