Bedford Community Theatre Announces Cast For 1776

From the Bedford Community Theatre: 1776, a Tony-award winning Broadway show is coming to the John Jay Homestead in Katonah on July 7-9, 2017. However, these founding fathers are a bit different from what you will expect to see. Instead, this version features a mix of gender and ethnicity to put a new spin on an old story, just in time for Independence Day.

The story is based on the events surrounding the signing of the Declaration of Independence and dramatizes the efforts of John Adams, played by June O’Neill, to persuade his colleagues to vote for American independence and to sign the document. 1776 premiered on Broadway in 1969 with music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and a book by Peter Stone.

This modern take was inspired by the hit Broadway Musical, “Hamilton”. Bedford Community Theatre has taken roles traditionally played by male Caucasian actors and cast the production with a wide variety of local talent.

The Bedford Community Theatre’s 1776 stays true to the characters, music and message of the original Broadway smash hit, yet the innovative casting and staging provokes a whole new level of engagement with the audience.

The cast includes Lisa Beck, Robert Beck and Bobbi Bittker (Bedford Hills, NY); Margaret Carey (Brewster, NY); BJ Markus (Bronx, NY); Michael Bentkowski (Cold Spring, NY); Jenna Isabella (Cortland Manor, NY); Robin McCaine, Merle McJunkin, June O’Neill and Cody Siegel (Katonah, NY); William Saldanah (Lake Peekskill, NY); Elizabeth DiMeo (Larchmont, NY); Michelle Hodge, Nseya Hodge and Amelia Sasson (Mt. Kisco, NY); Peter Ackerman (New Rochelle, NY); Daniele Hager and Jennifer Delancey (New York, NY); Sean Latasa (Somers, NY); Matthew McArthur (Stamford, CT) and Katherine Taylor (Tarrytown, NY).

The production team behind the scenes consists of Director, Mitch Horn (Bedford, NY); Music Director, Daphne Sasson, Assistant Music Director, Chloe Sasson and Choreographer, Kathleen Fitzgerald (Mount Kisco NY); Producer, Stephanie McCaine (Katonah NY); Technical Director, Dan Scherer and Lighting, Andy Tron, (Bedford Hills NY); with hair and makeup assistance provided by La Collage Salon of Mt Kisco.

With the current political climate, this production of 1776 will touch the patriotic spirit of our nation. “Diving into 1776 at this particular moment in time has been just the balm my soul needed,” Director Horn explains, “The second act has several excerpts from the Actual Declaration of Independence, and working on these scenes through the lens of 2017 has proven quite the challenge to keep from weeping."

Performances are Friday July 7 and Saturday, July 8 at 7:30pm, and Sunday July 9 at 5pm at the John Jay Homestead, 400 Jay Street, Katonah, NY. Seating is limited and advanced purchase is recommended. Visit www.bedfordcommunitytheatre.org/tickets or email info@bedfordcommunitytheatre.org for more details.

Photo caption: Congress debates the question of Independence!

Photos courtesy of the Bedford Community Theatre