Rousing "1776" Opens July 17 at Centenary's Marjorie Lyons Playhouse

SHREVEPORT, LA —The musical "1776" by Peter Stone and Sherman Edwards opens at the Marjorie Lyons Playhouse on the July 17. The production is scheduled to play at 8 p.m. July 17-19 and 24-26 and at 2 p.m. on July 20 and 27.

The box office is open from noon to 4 p.m. daily and reservations can be made by calling 318-869-5242. All seats are $25 each except for the 7 p.m. preview performance on Wednesday, July 16, for which tickets are discounted to $20.

The production is under the co-direction of Robert Buseick and Patric McWilliams. Kermit Poling is the music director and Anna Maria Sparke-Keele is the choreographer. Set and light designs are by Don Hooper and the costumes have been designed by McWilliams. Ashley Beckham is the stage manager and Ashley Owens is in charge of properties.

The seminal event in American history blazes to vivid life in this most unconventional of Broadway hits. Winner of the 1969 Tony Award for Best Musical, "1776" finds us in the summer when the nation was ready to declare independence— if only the founding fathers could agree to do it. The musical follows John Adams (Patric McWilliams),of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin (Jim Montgomery) of Pennsylvania and Richard Henry Lee (Rob Laha), and Thomas Jefferson (Stephen E. Baker), both 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.

The play puts a human face on the pages of history as we see the men behind the national icons— proud, frightened, uncertain, irritable, charming, often petty and ultimately noble figures determined to do the right thing for the fledgling nation. It contains the following musical numbers: "Cool, Cool Considerate Men", "Sit Down John", "Till Then", "The Lees of Old Virginia", "He Plays the Violin", "Mamma, Look Sharp", "Molasses to Run" and "Is Anybody There" along with many more. The play is suitable for the entire family.

For more information, contact the Marjorie Lyons Playhouse at 318-869-5242.

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