Mark me! I’m here to tell you that time travel is possible!
Last night, I found myself transported to a stifling-hot room in Philadelphia in the Summer of 1776 – instead of EHS’s darkened auditorium in the Winter of 2024. I witnessed the quick-witted and sharp-tongued John Adams (not Vivian Nienstedt) pacing and grumbling about his compatriots’ inaction and the fate of our burgeoning nation as Dr. Benjamin Franklin (not our beloved and multi-talented/tasking Mr. Ullman) tried to make him see that in order for progress to be made, Adams was going to have to get out of his own way.
Powdered wigs, knee breeches, and waistcoats aside, the students did a great job with bringing legendary figures to life.
I was especially struck by Vivian Nienstedt’s acerbic portrayal of John Adams, and James’ Nienstedt’s intense and thoughtful Thomas Jefferson – who clearly missed his wife (played by a very sweet Isabella Hassett). Aruwyn Connor plays a deliciously despicable John Dickinson, who saw no need to revolt against King George III, and expounded on this in “Cool, Cool, Considerate Men” – an elegant, if not arrogant, minuet.
Madison Ostroff’s Richard Henry Lee sang “The Lees of Old Virginia” with so much energy, I tapped my toes in time. I couldn’t help myself! It came natural-LEE!
Olive Karathomas’ performance as Edward Rutledge left me mesmerized. Her accent and mannerisms seem southern-sweet, but her rendition of “Molasses to Rum” gave me pause when I considered her salient points about the slave trade.
Then there’s Diana Tomayo’s “Momma Look Sharp” that just about broke my heart.
And the duets! James Nienstedt and Mia Woodward sing their hearts out on stage as they bring the Adams’ famous love letters to life in “Yours, Yours, Yours”. (Saltpeter! Pins! Pigeon-toes?)
It was truly wonderful to lose myself in EHS’s production of 1776. Yes, there are mirthful musical numbers replete with singing and dancing, and I cackled at the jokes and innuendos, but I witnessed more than just an entertaining retelling of the birth of America. What I saw last night was very clear evidence of talent and dedication, and a commitment to excellence.
Go and step into that time machine this weekend! You won’t regret it!
