'1776': An Oft-Told Tale Of the Birth of a Nation

Stage Veteran Helps Vienna Production

Mick Tinder plays John Adams in "1776." (By Christopher Robin)

"1776." It is both the name of the show finishing up a run at the Vienna Theatre Company and the number of times it seems to have been produced on area stages in recent years.

Even the most casual theatergoer must have seen "1776," the unusual musical about the cobbling together of the Declaration of Independence. But it is one of those shows that holds up well over repeated viewings and seems to have a devoted following. The Vienna Community Center theater was packed the night I saw the show, even though this is the fourth time it has played there. Likewise, some performers have made something of a career out of this play, such as lead actor Mick Tinder, who plays flinty John Adams and has done so in a number of area productions. Fortunately, Tinder is excellent in the part.

"1776" is a history lesson, written by Peter Stone and set to song by Sherman Edwards, with a strain of comedy running through what is, at times, intense drama.

The two-dozen-plus-member cast, made up almost entirely of men (Abigail Adams, played by Carin Parker, and Martha Jefferson, played by Cristin Chase, make brief appearances), work their way through Edwards's score without the usual musical theater dance or chorus numbers.

Oh, there's a bit of soft-shoe when Adams, Jefferson (Jack Scheer) and Franklin (Jeffrey Westlake) go through their paces, and South Carolina delegate Edward Rutledge (Steve Nixon) jumps about the furniture during his impassioned song calling for slavery to be allowed to continue. But the show is otherwise shorn of visual spectacle and relies on the very human story behind the history.

"1776" focuses on the intricate maneuvering that allowed 13 colonies with quite different sets of values to forge a united mission, as mostly privileged men risked life and worldly possessions by rebelling. Even though we know how it will turn out, as the hot summer Philadelphia days stretch on toward July 4, the suspense can be almost unbearable as seemingly impossible chasms between colonies and men have to be finessed.

This is a workmanlike production that lacks flair and doesn't quite pack the emotional punch, especially at the climax, that this show is capable of. That may be because the show has two producers and two directors, which is one person too many in the director slot. Something about cooks and broth comes to mind.

Co-directors (and brothers) Jeffrey and Eric Storck have done better than most twosomes, however, and the show is not in pieces, as often happens. Still, the storytelling lacks a singular point of view. That isn't helped by Stone's awkward story structure, which includes a very long, non-musical section in the first act that lags, even in the best professional productions.

On the plus side, this production has Tinder in the pivotal role of Adams, the man nobody likes but who almost single-handedly keeps the idea of America alive. Tinder ably showcases the second president's brittle personality while allowing for tender moments with Abigail, his great love. The several duets shared by Tinder and Parker are among the show's highlights. Another major asset is Westlake's Franklin, because the actor doesn't go for the easy stereotype, opting instead for a multidimensional characterization of the bawdy patriot with the outsize ego.

The Vienna production has a scaled-back orchestra, but conductor Larry Zimmerman keeps it lively and full-sounding, and he doesn't rely too heavily on the annoying synthesizer.

"1776" continues through May 13 at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St. Showtime is 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, with a matinee at 2 p.m. Sunday. For tickets, call 703-255-6360. For information, visithttp://www.viennatheatrecompany.org.