Geva’s 30th season ends with the perfect show for the 4th of
July. But though the plot of 1776 ends on July 4, Geva’s extended run
finishes on June 29. The production is dedicated to author Peter Stone, Oscar
winner, Emmy winner, and Tony winner, who died only a few weeks ago. His book
and Sherman Edwards’ lyrics tell the story of the First Continental Congress
struggling to declare independence from England.
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย To me,
Stone’s and Edwards’ admired, crafty writing is a little condescending to
please audiences by “humanizing” such worshipped forefathers as Ben
Franklin, Samuel Adams, and Thomas Jefferson. We see Franklin as a randy old
man who would rather drink, womanize, and exchange witticisms than obviously
fight for a cause. Adams is repeatedly called “loud, bad-tempered, and
despised” by everyone, including himself. And despite what we now know
about his slave/mistress, Jefferson was apparently motivated to write the Declaration of Independence because he
was so horny in Philadelphia, away from his wife.
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย These men’s
eloquence was legendary. (Jefferson repeated one of his famed sentences in a
letter to Adams: “The God who gave us life gave us liberty at the same
time; the hand of force may destroy but cannot disjoin them.”) But here
they talk real ordinary, just like regular folks.
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Once Act II
gets the debates and oppositions steaming, the cute stuff isn’t necessary.
Everyone doubts whether Congress’s many internal conflicts will ever be
resolved to agree to a break with the mother country. And the drama becomes
intensely stirring. By the time we reach an unexpectedly simple, dignified
conclusion (no song and dance finale about fighting to be free), we’d have to
be sour and unpatriotic indeed not to be moved and pleased.
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Director
Mark Cuddy has assembled a remarkably fine cast and balanced their work into a
notable ensemble. Three men — Skip Greer, Christopher Gurr, and Tim Ocel —
have memorably directed plays at Geva; who knew they could sing? Gurr, in fact,
does a potent job acting and singing Rutledge of South Carolina’s very
demanding “Molasses to Rum” — a defiant reminder of New England’s
share in the slave trade.
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Of the
almost 30 first-rate performers, many are familiar from previous fine work at
Geva. Remi Sandri, in his fifth major role here, plays Loyalist John Dickinson,
the leader of the opposition to independence, in a surprisingly heroic manner.
David Silberman, significant in a dozen character roles at Geva, is dryly
amusing at first, then builds his Benjamin Franklin to the expected stature of
a great man. John Bolton makes Richard Henry Lee funny enough for his big,
grandstanding number yet manages a handsome portrait of the celebrated Virginia
aristocrat. Brigid Brady is bright and lovely as Abigail Adams. And the divine
Christa Moore, Geva’s Liza in My Fair
Lady and Lucille (who spoke only French) in Garden, must like working here, because, welcome as this Broadway
star is, her role as Martha Jefferson allows her only a fairly silly little
song and a few minutes onstage.
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Moving up
from smaller roles, young Matthew Erickson makes a very strong impression as
the courier from General Washington’s troops, and is touchingly effective in
the song about a dead soldier, “Momma Look Sharp.”
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย New
to Geva are the two male leads. Handsome Steve Wilson is a dashing Jefferson
but should beat up his wigmaker. James Brennan’s richly detailed and
dynamically sung John Adams not only dominates the show, as Adams should, but
throws humorous doubt on the repeated comment about how obnoxious Adams is.
Brennan needs no spotlight to illuminate the stage.
ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย I
like GW Mercier’s sets, but find his costumes uneven. Some are elegant, like
Martha’s, or realistic and telling, like the Courier’s. Some look like bargains
pulled from stock. Phil Monat’s lighting designs are solid as usual; Monat
rarely calls attention to his work. Neither does Don Kot, but his musical
direction is an important local asset. I’m not mad about all the musical
stagings, but Cuddy has brought us a satisfying revival of this award-winning
show, splendidly cast.
1776, bookby Peter Stone, Music and Lyrics by
Sherman Edwards, plays at Geva Theatre Center, 75 Woodbury Boulevard, through
June 29. Performances are Tuesday-Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 4 and 8:30
p.m., and Sunday at 2 and 7:30 p.m. No public performances Wednesday, May 28 –
Monday, June 2; dates reserved for student matinees only. Information and
tickets ($17.50 – $51.50): 585-232-GEVA (4382), www.gevatheatre.org.
This article appears in May 21-27, 2003.
