The Portland Community Theater is alive with activity as the Civic Players prepare for the fall production of 1776, The Musical. Before Hamilton, there was 1776! A humorous and incredibly entertaining telling of the events leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence; a story of the efforts of John Adams to persuade his colleagues to vote for American independence and to sign the document.

“We are very excited to announce the cast for this wonderful show!”, said director Sara Pohl. The portrayal of John Adams is by Clay Ramsey, Benjamin Franklin by Jonathan Bair, John Dickinson by Erin Hoard, Edward Ruthledge by Matt Thelen, Stephen Hopins by Kelly Ramsey, Thomas Jefferson by Antonius Watkins, and John Hancock by Chuck Dibean. Also appearing are Martha Jefferson, played by Tiffany Barron, Abigail Adams by Jessica Bigelow, Richard Henry Lee by Kent Bennett, Roger Sherman by Roger Miller, Andrew McNair by Rory Miller, Robert Livingston by Leon Miller, Samuel Chase by Christy Dibean, James Wilson by Kelly Frazee, George Read by Sophie Leik, Caesar Rodney by Pam Robinson, Charles Thompson by Joe Pung, Lewis Morris by Leon Miller, John Witherspoon by Grace Sutherland, Thomas McKean by Clayton Rice, Lyman Hall by Laurie Reeves, Josiah Bartlette by Evelyn Johnston, John Hewes by Tiffany Barron, Leather Apron by Wade Dibean, and Courier by Abigail Rice.

“We are so excited to bring this incredible show to our Portland stage!” said director Sara Pohl. “We have an amazingly talented cast which includes some familiar faces and also some who are new to our stage. We couldn’t be happier with the enthusiasm of everyone involved!”

Opportunities are once again available to support the theater with such things as royalties and specialty costumes! Businesses, individuals, or other groups who are interested in great theatre are invited to help sponsor the event! There are several different levels of sponsorship, with different rewards associated with each. More information is available on the website PortlandCivicPlayers.com.

Based on a concept by Sherman Edwards, book by Peter Stone, and music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards, 1776, the Musical, is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com.

The PCP production is being directed by Sara Pohl. Play dates are Friday, Saturday and Sunday, November 5-7, and 12-14 at the Portland Community Theater, located at 231 Maple Street, Portland. Tickets will be on sale soon! Please see our website portlandcivicplayers.com, or follow Portland Civic Players on Facebook for more details!

PICTURE:

Standing L-R: Director Sara Pohl, Rory Miller, Wade Dibean, Evelyn Johnston, Kelly Ramsey, Clay Ramsey, Tiffany Barron, Jessica Bigelow, Erin Hoard, Kelly Kerry Frazee.

Seated L-R: Roger Miller, Jonathan Bair, Joe Pung, Leon Miller, Chuck Dibean, Christy Dibean, Laurie Reeves, Kent Bennett, Matt Thelen.

Seated on floor: Grace Sutherland, Sophia Leik, Clayton Rice

Not pictured: Antonius Watkins, Pam Robinson

(Credit: The Portland Beacon)