LRLT production of 1776

The Little Theatre of Fall River
BRISTOL COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Margaret L. Jackson Performing Arts Center
Fall River, Massachusetts

presents

Directed by RICHARD PELLETIER

Musical Director - Bobby Perry
Choreographer - Janice MacDonald
Stage Manager - Jean Mendes

Starring

John M. Costa - John Adams
Dawn Boucher - Abigail Adams
Neil Ferreira -Thomas Jefferson
Tony Ferreira - Benjamin Franklin
Bob Houde II - Edward Rutledge
Brian McCann - Richard Henry Lee
David R. Mello -John Dickinson
Mark Oien - Courier
Paul E. Petit - John Hancock
Christine Pelletier - Martha Jefferson

with

Roger S. Belanger, Jay Burke, Chris Chambers, John W. Cummings, Edward Cunha, Al Deston, Roger Fournier, Frank B. Hadley, Terry LeVasseur, Michial Lewis, Rod Alan Lopez, Frank Noble, John J. Nunes, Ron Robinson, Clement Romano, Jason Cabral, Fernando Goulart

Reviewed by Don Gillis, October 18, 2002

It has been a long time since I have seen a staged version of 1776, so I was anticipating seeing this production which requires a talented male cast that can sing, act, and some dance. I was not disappointed.

Director, Richard Pelletier has assembled an excellent cast for this bawdy musical romp regarding the events that lead up to the eventual signing of the Declaration of Independence in July, 1776. He has a beautiful venue to work with at the Margaret L. Jackson Performing Arts center on the campus of Bristol Community College. The stage is huge with the capability to fly scenes in and out quickly which speeds up the production and makes for a fine flow of scenes.

Talent was abundant in this production. John M. Costa as the firebrand John Adams excelled in his role. His acting was superb and his singing was pleasant. I especially liked his scenes with Benjamin Franklin. John also has some great moments with his wife, Abigail Adams played by Dawn Boucher. Musical numbers, "Till Then" and "Yours, Yours, Yours", were heartwarming and funny. Dawn Boucher has a beautiful operatic voice which soars in her numbers, and together the duo pleases the audience.

Benjamin Franklin was portrayed by a most talented guy by the name of Tony Ferreira. He was the epitome of the way we see Dr. Benjamin Frankilin, witty, diplomatic, and good natured. His scene with Adams when he has to get angry about the slavery clause having to go was magnificently done. I liked him a lot . His walking around with a bum leg was really convincing...I found out later he was in pain - he really has to have knee surgery in real life.

Tony's son in real life, Neil Ferreira played Thomas Jefferson, the quiet and silent man who eventually pens the Declaration of Independence only after he gets to see his lovely wife Martha, played aptly by Christine Pelletier. His scenes in his bedroom, trying to pen the Declaration and getting rid of Franklin and Adams are hilarious. Christine has a nice scene segment on the streets of Philadelphia getting acquainted with Adams and Franklin. She wore a beautiful pink dress which flowed when she did the waltz with Adams and Franklin in the "He Plays the Violin" number. Very nicely done.

A talented Brian McCann comes charging out at the audience early in the first act with a gusto you won't forget as he belts out "The Lees of Old Virginia". His exuberance was refreshing and his rendition of the song was just - GREAT. I am still singing it - here a Lee, there a Lee, everywhere a Lee, a Lee. Great showman! FORWARD>>>>>>>>>> march.

The flow of this play depends a lot on the talents of the President of the Congress, John Hancock. Paul E. Petit has the distinct honor of portraying this man. He does a wonderful job keeping the pace of the show moving with his line deliveries. He was especially funny swatting the flies and shouting orders at John Nunes who plays Andrew McNair, Congressional Custodian.

Bob Houde II plays the South Carolina delegate Edward Rutledge who is against abolishment of slavery and sings and chants "Molasses To Rum". His rendition is quite stirring and well presented. And his acting dialogue with Adams was especially good as he explains that the North does not keep slaves, but are considerable carriers of the slave trade. Who stinkith the most, Boston or Charlestown?

David R. Mello portrays John Dickinson, the stubborn congressman from Pennsylvania who eventually walks out of the congressional hall to fight for the army in hopes of a reconciliation with England. David does a nice job with his "Cool, Cool, Considerate Men " number, along with his Conservatives. His dialogue with Adams was especially noteworthy as he makes it clear that he is against Independence and really despises John Adam's ideals. His fight scene with Adams was very well played. Choreography by Janice MacDonald was excellent.

The final scene in Act I will have you choked up as young Mark Oien, the Courier, sings "Momma, Look Sharp." He had the right expressions and the lighting was perfect for this heart tugging song about the death of two of his friends. A real tearjerker to end the final scene in Act I.

The supporting roles cannot be left out of this review. Each one of those not mentioned did wonderful portrayals of their character and added a dimension to the entire production. The musical quality was especially noteworthy in the group numbers, and musical director Bobby Perry and his talented musicians, Kathy Cichon, Rick Brecha, Mindy Osgood, Andrea Fortier, Doren Jacobs, and Jake Miller provide for a wonderfully sounding production.

Costumes were very elegant and authentic for the period. The set was a unit set with nine tables, and chairs for each delegation. The fact that they could fly helped so much because they did not have to move a piece of furniture in the chambers. A white scrim was used when the setting was not in the chambers, and a street scrim was used for the Mall, and Thomas Jefferson's Room and High Street. Over on Stage right, was Jefferson's room and on stage left they had the portrait scene of Franklin. The way the stage is constructed, these two spaces are really another two stages leaving a lot of room for the Chamber setting. The lighting by Debbie Pelletier was outstanding. There are scenes that are so nicely lit that blends with the mood.

In the Lobby, you will be surprised to find a most interesting setup. Roger S. Belanger (who played Dr. Josiah Bartlett in the production) has each individual character's pictures along with their dates of birth and death along with and 8 x 10 biography. In addition, he has the Declaration of Independence and other historical documents that are pertinent to the production, Inside the 8x10, there is a picture of the person playing the role - what a great idea! That along with the production made for a most enjoyable evening of theatre. If you want to see this production, there are only two performances left. October 19th and 20th. Go see this wonderful show if you can!!

Little Theatre of Fall River, Inc.
1776 (till October 20, 2002)
Margaret L. Jackson Performing Arts Center
BRISTOL COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Fall River, Massachusetts
(508) 675-1852

Don Gillis, Little Rhody Theater - say hello - I'd love to hear from you!!