One of the best things I've seen on or around Broadway was the revival of 1776 that the Roundabout company mounted in 1997. In fact, I saw it twice: Once with its original star, Brent Spiner, as John Adams and later with his replacement, Michael McCormick, in that role. Today's clip from the Tony Awards ceremony broadcast in '98 features Mr. McCormick.
I had a great time both visits…though I have to say I've never loved the score for 1776. It really is that rarest kind of musical — the kind where the book is better than the songs. The composer, Sherman Edwards, was not a facile tunesmith. He had co-written a few pop songs that were performed by Elvis Presley. His most lasting hit was probably "See You in September," as recorded by The Happenings. 1776, which took him many years to write and more years to sell, was his only musical.
I've seen 1776 three or four other times and always enjoyed it. Somehow, the book by Peter Stone does an amazing job of making you forget that you know how the story turns out. Halfway through at intermission, you're saying, "Those poor saps…they'll never get that Declaration of Independence signed." When they do, there is always a burst of giddy, joyous applause from the audience. It's one of my favorite moments in any musical…and there hasn't been a song in over twenty minutes.
So here, in honor of the Fourth of July, is the opening number from 1776. Wish I could show you the whole thing.
