1776 opened for previews at the Roundabout Theatre Company on July 17, 1997 and ran there extremely successfully until November 16, 1997. Its opening night was August 14,1997. The Roundabout run was extended twice because of the high demand for tickets, it was originally supposed to close on October 19th, 1997. 1776 was the most successful show in the 30 year history of Roundabout. Because 1776 was so tremendously successful at Roundabout, it was transfered to the Gershwin Theatre on Broadway on December 3, 1997 and where it is still running. It is currently nominated for three Tonys including Best Musical Revival and has recieved both Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk award nominations. Also a cast recording was recorded November 11th and 13th of last year and was released by TVT Records on December 15, 1997.
There have also been cast changes made since the show opened in August. The most major of these were the departure from the show of Brent Spiner, Pat Hingle and Linda Emond. Here is a list of those cast changes.
As of 8/25/97:
Brian Sutherland replaced Robert Westenberg in the role of Lyman Hall.
As of 11/97:
Erik J. McCormack replaced Dashiell Eaves in the role of the Courier.
As of 12/3/97:
John Ellison Conlee replaced Tom Riis Farrell in the role
of Lewis Morris.
As of 3/4/98:
Michael McCormick has replaced Brent Spiner in the role of
John Adams.
David Huddleston has replaced Pat Hingle in the role of
Benjamin Franklin.
Carolee Carmello has replaced Linda Emond in the role of
Abigail Adams.
William Duell has replaced Michael McCormick in the role of
Caesar Rodney.
5/98
Tom Riis Farrell replaced John Ellison Conlee in the role
of Lewis Morris.
This revival closed on June 14th, 1998 after 34 previews and 333 total regular performances, 109 regular performances at Roundabout's Stage Right and 224 regular performances at the Gershwin Theatre. It received 3 1998 Tony nominations: Best Revival of a Musical, Best Director of a Musical -- Scott Ellis and Best Featured Actor in a Musical -- Gregg Edelman. 1776 also recieved 4 Drama Desk Award nominations: Best Musical Revival,Best Director of a Musical -- Scott Ellis, Best Actor in a Musical -- Brent Spiner and Best Featured Actor in a Musical -- Gregg Edelman. Gregg Edelman won in the Featured Actor in a Musical category. It also received 3 Outer Critics Circle Award nominations: Best Musical Revival, Best Director of a Musical -- Scott Ellis and Best Featured Actor in a Musical -- Gregg Edelman.
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