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Review: Historical musical a memorable night of theater
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From left, Curtis Leach is Benjamin Franklin, Kevin Olsen is Thomas Jefferson and John LaPuzza is John Adams in “1776,” on stage now at Bellevue Little Theatre.
BELLEVUE, Neb. – Bellevue Little Theatre opened its theater season with a good production of the musical “1776.”
Laureen Pickle directs a talented group of experienced actors. Pickle also did double duty by designing an interesting set that includes some marvelous visual effects. Kay Clark is musical director and heads up a good four-piece pit orchestra.
John La Puzza plays the main character, John Adams, who does everything he can to get the Continental Congress to declare independence from Great Britain. He is not liked by many members. His wife, Abigail, who is left at home in Massachusetts, is a strong woman played by Janet Ratekin Williams. Their long distance duets, which include “Till Then” and “Yours, Yours, Yours,” are poignant.
There were 13 colonies represented at the Continental Congress in that hot month of July 1776. The stage was full of 27 very talented actors including: Curtis Leach as Benjamin Franklin, Kevin Olsen as Thomas Jefferson and Chris Ebke as Richard Henry Lee. The show also features John Payton, Chuck Wilcox, Tom Fleckten, Adam Hogston, Gary Parker, Sam Reiner, Sean Buster, Robert Matter, Geoff Chenowith, Nelson Lampe, John Jones, Dale Krusemark, Steve Pera, Don Reimer, Joe Mokrycki, Phil Cremonini, Max Hauze and Kyle Avery.
The 13 songs in the show are memorable. “For God’s Sake John, Sit down” is the rousing opening number. There were many conflicts among the members of the congress. Slavery was a major problem between the northern colonies and the southern colonies. Edward Rutledge, played by Andrew Miner, sings “Molasses to Rum” a very good song with an African beat that is haunting. Martha Jefferson, played by Shiloh Jones; joins with Adams and Franklin for “He Plays the violin.”
This musical has everything going for it, including talented actors, great music and a very historical story about creating the Declaration of Independence. This is a great way to get a history lesson in a fun musical environment. This is a must-see production in Bellevue.
The musical “1776” runs on weekends through Sept. 30. Curtain time Fridays and Saturdays is 8 p.m., with 2 p.m. matinees on Sundays. Tickets are $18 for adults, $15 for seniors and $9 for students. For reservations, call (402) 291-1554.The theater is located in Olde Towne Bellevue, Neb.
Leading men worth seeing in second staging of ‘1776'
By Bob Fischbach
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER
1776
What: Stage musical Where: Bellevue Little Theatre, 203 W. Mission Ave., Bellevue When: Friday through Sept. 30; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays Tickets: $18 adults, $15 senior citizens, $9 students Information: 402-291-1554Sixteen years later, John LaPuzza still makes a spirited, combative John Adams and Curtis Leach has spring in his step and a twinkle in his eye as Benjamin Franklin in “1776.”
The two played opposite each other in the Bellevue Little Theatre's 1996 production of this musical about the Continental Congress voting on the Declaration of Independence.
They teamed again for an outstanding 2004 Stages of Omaha production at the Rose Theater.
And they're still worth catching in BLT's second staging of “1776,” which opened last weekend.
Director Laureen Pickle and music director Kay Clark have assembled a fine cast of 24 men, whose booming chorus of “Sit Down, John” lets you know early on you're in for a vocal treat.
They are boosted by lovely solo work from Janet Ratekin Williams as Adams' lonely, supportive wife, Abigail (“Till Then”), and Shiloh Jones as ardent lover Martha Jefferson (“He Plays the Violin”).
Pickle gets double credit for scenic design that suggests the actual chamber where the congress met, along with staging that, by necessity, spills into the aisles and onto downstage platforms.
The show's biggest drawback is a tiny stage and limited height. It's not easy shoehorning 24 men behind 10 tables and then finding room for them to move — and that shows at times.
A noble attempt at visual projection of period artwork onto a screm (a black curtain that's see-through when lit from behind) only partly succeeds. Too much light spills onto the set behind the curtain, washing out the images and revealing actors coming and going.
Still, Pickle and cast capture the spirit of the piece. A pushy Adams, counseled by a more temperate Franklin, must learn to compromise if he is to get the unanimous vote for independence he desperately wants.
They get help from quiet wordsmith Thomas Jefferson (Kevin Olsen), braggart Richard Henry Lee of Virginia (Chris Ebke's solo is fun) and a sympathetic president of the congress, John Hancock (Patrick Wolfe).
Edward Rutledge of South Carolina (Andrew Miner, an excellent baritone) leads the “Cool, Cool Considerate Men” who resist independence, particularly over the issue of slavery. Miner points out northern hypocrisy, singing a lacerating “Molasses to Rum.”
Superb tenor Kyle Avery is moving as a courier who sings of death on the battlefield in “Momma Look Sharp,” though it's better to leave the weeping to the audience.
Some fine character acting comes from non-soloists, including Geoff Chenoweth, who masters a Scottish brogue as Thomas McKean of Delaware; John Payton as old rumpot Stephen Hopkins of Rhode Island; and Don Reimer as the congress' secretary, reading depressing battlefield messages from George Washington.
But aside from that booming male chorus, the show rests most heavily on LaPuzza and Leach, still in excellent voice and still terrific character actors in this patriotic slice of Americana.
All-male cast doesn't bother female director
IF YOU GO:
What: “1776” stage musical Where: Bellevue Little Theatre, 203 W. Mission Ave., Bellevue When: Friday through Sept. 30; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays Tickets: $18 adults, $15 senior citizens, $9 students nformation: 402-291-1554If there's one thing the musical “1776” is known for, it's that booming male chorus of 24 voices — all the delegates to the Continental Congress deciding whether to ratify the Declaration of Independence.
So it's worth noting that all of those guys in the Bellevue Little Theatre's “1776” cast answer to director D. Laureen Pickle, music director Kay Clark, producer Sandy Thompson and stage manager Robin Klusmire — all women.
Pickle said there have been no raised eyebrows over the labor-management gender split.
“The guys are a whole lot of fun, but they're very respectful,” Pickle said. “It's nice to be taken seriously as a director. Some of them call me Coach. If I were hesitant or acted weak, somebody might try to take advantage. But any director who comes in with a plan, there's no question of leadership.”
Clark agreed that gender has simply not been an issue.
“A few years ago this might have been a novelty, but not now,” said Clark, who has not music-directed a show in about a decade but loves doing this one a second time at Bellevue. Her four-piece pit group of musicians is also all-female.
Thompson said leadership roles for women have increasingly become common in community theater. She herself became board president of the theater soon after she became active there.
“I didn't think of it as an honor,” she said. “It's just that they thought I could get the work done.”
Klusmire was a stage manager when Pickle directed “Oliver” at Bellevue a couple seasons ago. Clark and Thompson had also worked together in the past, including for a 1996 production of “1776” at the theater.
John LaPuzza as John Adams, and Curtis Leach as Benjamin Franklin are repeating the roles they played in 1996. A father and son, Don and Sam Reimer, are also in the cast.
Thompson said the show was deliberately chosen for an election year. Pickle said it's proof that the more things change, the more they stay the same.
“A lot of what they argued about back then, we still argue about,” she said.
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