Before there was “Hamilton,” there was “1776.” This award-winning musical opens the Legacy’s 11th season, running Sept. 30-Oct. 23.
It’s the summer of 1776, and the nation is ready to declare independence – if only the Founding Fathers can agree to do it. This play follows John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia as they attempt to convince the members of the Second Continental Congress to vote for independence from the shackles of the British monarchy by signing the Declaration of Independence. Truly entertaining and enlightening, “1776” is a funny, insightful and compelling musical showcasing the Founding Fathers like never before.
“This show has always been one of my favorites,” said Mark Smith, the play’s director and the Legacy’s artistic director. “With the heat of the upcoming election, it seemed like a perfect time to reflect and celebrate the birth of our country. Although it’s a somewhat historical piece, the themes are really timeless. We’re also putting a new, modern twist on it that I think our audiences will enjoy. This new concept incorporates a modern-day high school class as they learn about the summer of 1776 for the first time.”
“We’ve assembled an amazing team,” said executive producer Bethany Smith. “Jodi Cotton returns as musical director; our audiences will know her work from ‘Footloose,’ ‘Rocket Boys’ and ‘Appalachian Christmas Homecoming.’ Plus, we have all-new orchestrations for this production created just for us by Jordon Ross Weinhold.”
The award-winning show features music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and a book by Peter Stone. It opened on Broadway in 1969 to rave reviews and received three Tony Awards, including the award for Best Musical. It was later adapted into a film version and also revived on Broadway before becoming widely performed throughout the country proving to be a hit among audiences nationwide.
Following “1776,” the Legacy’s season continues with “Christmas, My Way,” a holiday hit featuring all of Frank Sinatra’s classic Christmas favorites opening Nov. 18.
In January, “Smokey Joe’s Cafe” hits the stage with the hit songs from the ‘50s and ‘60s including “Jailhouse Rock”, “Hound Dog”, “Love Potion #9”, “Only You”, “Yakety Yak” and more.
“Church Basement Ladies,” one of the most popular shows in the country, opens April 14. It’s an hilarious original musical celebrating the church basement kitchen and the ladies who work there.
Finishing out the season is Disney’s classic fairytale, “Beauty & the Beast,” running July-August of 2017.
Performances of “1776” are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays as well as 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. Adult tickets start at $30 and can be purchased as a single ticket or as part of a five-show season subscription at the discounted price of $125. Tickets and subscriptions can be purchased at www.thelegacytheatre.org or by calling the Box Office at 404-895-1473. The Legacy Theatre is located at 1175 Senoia Road in Tyrone.
