August 20, 21 &22, 2010 Only! |
Gala Revival of 1776
Patriots, history buffs and theatre fans alike head to Morrisville, PA in
August to experience the birth of American Independence as the Actors’ NET of Bucks County presents
its seventh revival of the award winning Sherman Edwards & Peter Stone stage musical, 1776.
Actors’ NET, a small Morrisville based non-profit stage company entering its fifteenth season,
presents its sprawling presentation for the first time in the large air-conditioned auditorium of the
Morrisville Middle/Senior High School on Palmer Avenue. Starring two nationally-known actors and
historical interpreters -- Joe Doyle and Dean Bennett as John Adams and Dr. Benjamin
Franklin – most of the cast of this run have appeared in the show multiple times.
Being presented to highlight “Revolutionary Weekend” in the borough, sponsored by the
Morrisville Business Association (MBA), the production boasts authentic period costumes and a set
which faithfully recreates the interior of Independence Hall at the time of the historic debate in the
Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia.
Morrisville’s Revolutionary Weekend will also feature tours of historic Summerseat -- a home in
the borough previously owned by two signers of the Declaration of Independence: Robert Morris, for
whom the borough is named, and George Clymer. Summerseat also served as General Washington’s
headquarters and while there he began his plans for the Battle of Trenton .
Other nearby historic sites one might visit include Pennsbury Manor, the recreated Bucks
County home of William Penn; the Grey Stone plaque in Morrisville, at the site where Penn negotiated
his land deal with the Lenni Lenape tribe; and Washington Crossing State Park. Parents with children
might wish to spend the day at Sesame Place theme park down the road in Langhorne before the show.
Considered the company’s signature show since its NET debut ten years ago, 1776 is once again
directed by NET Co-Founder and Artistic Director Cheryl Doyle. Leading the live orchestra is musical
director Pat Masterson. Costarring are James Petro as Thomas Jefferson, Mary Liz Ivins as Abigail
Adams, Kyla Marie Mostello as Martha Jefferson, George Hartpence as Edward Rutledge, Steve Lobis as
John Dickinson, Ed Patton as John Hancock, Chuck Donnelly as Richard Henry Lee, Ken Ammerman as
Congressional Clerk Charles Thomson and Marco Newton as Congressional Custodian Andrew McNair.
Also featured will be Jack Bathke as Roger Sherman, James Cordingley as Caesar Rodney, Corey
Stradling as Thomas McKean, Ed Correale as George Read, Jim Palmer as Dr. Lyman Hall, Alex Campbell
as Samuel Chase, Matthew Whiteside as Joseph Hewes, Dennis McGuire as Dr. Hosiah Bartlett, C.
Jameson Bradley as Rev. Jonathan Witherspoon, Tom Harrelson as Robert Livingston, Barry Clements as
Lewis Morris, Mitch Gerson as James Wilson, Mickey Levitan as Stephen Hopkins, and Matt South as The
Courier.
“What a thrill to be able to bring back 1776 as part of Morrisville’s Revolutionary Weekend,” Joe
Doyle, who stars as Adams, said recently. “This has far and away been the best received musical our
company has produced to date. Whether presented in our intimate Heritage Center theatre or
under the stars in the borough’s Williamson Park or at the Open Air Theatre at Washington Crossing, NJ,
1776 is a star-spangled tribute to our Founding Fathers. Offered this time in the air-conditioned comfort
of our high school auditorium, our patrons will be able to enjoy this lavish spectacle in all its glory.
“1776 is very special to our entire cast, but especially to me because it launched my career as a
John Adams interpreter. Since 2000, I’ve had the honor of appearing as Adams countless times in
Washington, DC – at the White House Visitors Center, the Vice President’s residence, the National
Archives, Library of Congress, the National Portrait Gallery and so many other venues. Last fall, I even
had the opportunity as Adams to speak before the annual dinner of the Mount Rushmore Society.
Naturally, I chided the organization for omitting the illustrious Mr. Adams from the mountainscape.
“Sharing the stage with Dean Bennett as Dr. Franklin is always a joy,” Doyle continued. “Over
the years, we’ve worked together dozens of times. We’re so attuned to each other’s characterizations
that many who witness us as Adams and Franklin completely buy in to our performances. For more than
a decade, he has indisputably been one of the nation’s leading Franklin interpreters. He even
appeared recently on a nationally televised soap opera as a Franklin interpreter who robbed a
bank!”
“I can’t say enough about our other co-stars,” Doyle noted. “Mary Liz Ivins has been my 1776
Abigail Adams during each run. She radiates charm, while her magnificent voice showers the audience
with all of Mrs. Adams’ passion for her firebrand husband. Baritone Jim Petro is one of the area’s most
sought-after musical performers. And, leading the opposition for independency are George Hartpence
as Rutledge and Steve Lobis as Dickinson. Both actors—also appearing for the seventh time with us --
bring convincing power and nuance to their characterizations. Within minutes of the debate, audiences
find themselves on the edge of their seats. Even though we all know the outcome of the show before
the first note is played and the first line delivered, Rutledge and Dickinson prove themselves to be
formidable opponents.”
“I could go on and on about each cast member representing delegates from each of the original
13 colonies,” Doyle said. “Suffice to say, each has been specially cast in their roles. Most are veterans of
multiple runs. Our respect for our Founding Fathers makes our 1776 a production to be seen and
savored.”
Performance dates are Friday Aug. 20 and Saturday Aug. 21 at 7 p.m. and Sunday Aug. 22 at 2
p.m. All seats are $10 and can be reserved by phoning the nonprofit Actors’ NET at 215-295-3694 or by
emailing actorsnet@aol.com.