2 Verona Actors In All-Female Cast: '1776: The Women’s Congress'

VERONA, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the cast of “1776: The Women’s Congress,” which includes Verona residents Marsha Schreier (playing the role of John Dickinson) and Joyce Liebelt (playing the role of George Reed). Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here.

Following a sold out engagement in November of 2017 at the historic St. Luke’s Church in Montclair and an encore staging at Porch Light Studios in Glen Rock this past August, 1776: The Women’s Congress returns for three performances at the new Hackensack Performing Arts Center, March 1st through the 3rd.

The show puts a unique and timely spin on the Broadway musical classic 1776, featuring an all-female cast of 26 performers from community theater groups throughout northern New Jersey. Director Laura Iacometta cites a 2017 all-female concert production presented at 54 Below in Manhattan as her inspiration. “I was mesmerized… I said to my friend, “You know, we can do this!” Not that we can do it better, but we can do it differently.”

Part of her different approach has included evolving a traditional, static concert presentation with no dialogue into a fully costumed, fully staged event. Further, by populating America’s first significant governing body—the Continental Congress—with women, Iacometta’s production makes a powerful statement, all without changing a word of Peter Stone’s Tony award-winning book.

“Mr. Lee is not suddenly Mrs. Lee. The characters are the same,” cast member Kay Koch explains. “They just happen to be played by women.”

Another unique aspect to Iacometta’s production is her specific emphasis on giving back to the community. November’s Montclair production saw a portion of proceeds donated to Planned Parenthood. In August, a donation was made to benefit EMILY’s List—a national initiative that provides financial support to progressive female political candidates.

For this Hackensack staging, the beneficiary will be a group very close to home—and to Iacometta’s heart—Strengthen Our Sisters (SOS). The Passaic County -based organization has provided housing and supportive services to thousands of battered/homeless women and children since 1991. Entirely staffed by volunteers, SOS operates 7 shelters, 2 daycare centers, a food pantry and a thrift store. The enormous cost of operations has put significant strain on the group in recent years and Iacometta hopes her Congress can help lighten their load.

“Part of Off Book Productions' mission is to promote the well being and strength of women,” Iacometta explains. “Without urgent donations, these people served by Strengthen Our Sisters will lose their much needed safe haven.”

1776: The Women’s Congress will be performed at the Hackensack Performing Arts Center in downtown Hackensack, NJ on Friday, March 1st at 7:30pm, Saturday, March 2nd at 7:30pm and Sunday, March 3rd at 3pm. Tickets are $23 general admission, $19 for students/seniors and a special rate of $17 each for groups of 12 or more. Visit hacpac.org to purchase tickets.

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Photo courtesy of 1776: The Women’s Congress/Vivian Brock