The Community Arts Council of Blount County
presents the musical "1776"
Book by Peter Stone
Music & Lyrics by Sherman Edwards
Directed by Tim Moore
Music & Lyrics by Sherman Edwards
Directed by Tim Moore
1776 is presented through a special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
Auditions
February 27 & 28, 2026 - 6 pm
March 1, 2026 - 2 pm
March 1, 2026 - 2 pm
Performances
June 18, 19, & 20, 2026 - 7 pm
June 25, 26, & 26, 2025 - 7 pm
June 25, 26, & 26, 2025 - 7 pm
Tickets
The Story
The seminal event in American history blazes to vivid life in this most unconventional of Broadway hits. 1776 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 a fledgling nation. It's the summer of 1776, and the nation is ready to declare independence... if only our founding fathers can agree to do it! 1776 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. 1776 is a funny, insightful, and compelling drama produced by the Community Arts Council of Blount County to celebrate the 250th birthday of our nation
About the Creators
Peter Stone: One of the most accomplished Broadway bookwriters, Stone graduated from Bard College and earned an MFA from the Yale School of Drama. He began writing for CBS Radio and soon moved to writing for television, including the shows Studio One, The Defenders (for which he won an Emmy Award); Asphalt Jungle and Espionage. He has written the plays Friend of the Family and Full Circle. In addition to 1776, his Broadway bookwriting credits include the musicals Kean; Skyscraper; Two by Two; Sugar; Woman of the Year (for which he won a 1981 Tony Award); My One and Only; Grand Hotel and The Will Rogers Follies (1991 Tony Award for Best Musical). Stone also wrote the screenplay for the film version of 1776. His other screenplays include Charade; Father Goose (for which he won a 1964 Academy Award); Mirage; Arabesque; Sweet Charity; The Taking of Pelham 1-2-3 and Who Is Killing the Great Chefs of Europe?
Sherman Edwards was born in New York taught American history at James Monroe High School. After earning an undergraduate degree in history, at New York University, he later did graduate work in history at Cornell University. He appeared as an actor in My Sister Eileen and the Broadway revue Pins and Needles. He began working as a pianist, playing for performers Lisa Kirk, Eddie Fisher and Mindy Carson. Later, he played in the bands of Tommy Dorsey, Benny Goodman and Louis Armstrong. In the late 1950s, he began writing popular music, including the hit songs Broken-Hearted Melody" (lyrics by Hal David), "See You in September" (music and lyrics co-written by Sid Wayne) and "Wonderful, Wonderful" (lyrics by Ben Raleigh). 1776 (for which he won a 1969 Tony Award) was his only Broadway score.
