There will be plenty of fireworks for Point Lomans celebrating the nation’s 250th anniversary this Fourth of July weekend. Vanguard Theater at Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church is hosting a fiery and inspiring co-production of the Tony Award-winning musical “1776” by Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone, directed by John Spafford. Performances will be in the red-brick Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church from June 26 through July 12. The production of 1776 commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. It’s the summer of 1776, and the nation’s ready to declare independence — if only the founders can agree. Using humor and song, the musical tells of the conflicts and compromises leading to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.The play puts a human face on Revolutionary War-era history, with characters in 1776 portrayed entirely as written in the original script by Sherman Edwards (music and lyrics) and Peter Stone (book). The cast’s actors are a diverse lot, with costuming not era-specific.Play producer, director and designer John Spafford, a Presbyterian Church member and former SeaWorld trainer, noted the musical employs a unique narrative device in relating how American independence came about.“A significant portion of the script is conversations between Abigail and John Adams, predominantly words from letters between them,” said Spafford, characterizing the play’s tone as “fun.” He added that 1776’s humor in part comes from the interplay between the husband and wife during their written communications. For instance, Spafford points out that John Adams related writing to Abigail that what was most needed by the American side was “saltpeter to make gunpowder.” Abigail, on the other hand, noted that “pins for sewing” was what she really needed to do her part in the war effort, saying she “couldn’t get anything done” without them.Spafford said the red-brick church provided the perfect setting for staging 1776, since it’s a “big colonial church that looks a lot like Independence Hall in Philadelphia” where the Declaration of Independence was signed 250 years ago. Noting the show will be held in the church’s main sanctuary, the director added that six professional musicians will perform during the play’s run.Of the songs in 1776, Spafford said they’re “very specific” to the show, adding this is “not a normal musical.” He added that substantial parts of the play have “no music at all.” He pointed out there is a 25-minute scene during the 2 1/2-hour play where non-musical dialogue covers the debate over what to include – and exclude – from the Declaration of Independence. “It was all about the push-and-pull during the debate, bringing all 13 colonies together to sign this document,” noted Spafford.Regarding 1776’s cast, Spafford said there are 28 varied roles. “We tried to give a role to anybody who auditioned,” he said. “We held to that. We even created some extra, non-speaking characters.” Characterizing 1776’s actors as “all kinds of people with all different skills and abilities,” Spafford noted that it includes everyone from a 70-year-old first timer never in a show before to young high-school girls singing.
Courtesy of Vanguard Theatre at Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church Courtesy of Vanguard Theatre at Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church Courtesy of Vanguard Theatre at Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church“We have a really wide range of people representing our community here,” Spafford said. “It’s wonderful telling the story with humor and music of the amazing thing that happened 250 years ago. It’s a great way to celebrate the ideals that were established when the Declaration of Independence was written.”
Tickets for 1776 are available at www.vanguardsd.org/shows. Free parking is available in the church parking lot on Udall St. There is also street parking available around the church.Vanguard Theater is an outreach ministry of Westminster Presbyterian Church that has celebrated performance art for more than four decades, presenting serious drama, comedies, Broadway musicals, dance concerts, original plays, revues, and musicals.Point Loma Community Presbyterian Church is a cornerstone to the local community. Founded in 1937, its distinctive colonial architecture—rare in Southern California—offers the perfect space for performances like the 1776 musical.The play is produced, directed and designed by John Spafford. Alicia McMillan directs 1776’s music and conducts the orchestra. Lynn Spafford directs choral numbers, while the show is choreographed by Dawn Marie Zuniga-Williams. Jaci Gibson-Henrie designed costumes. Kristin Leddy designed wigs and makeup. Santiago Venegas II designed the lighting. Duane McGregor decorated and painted the set. Patrice Berry produced the projections and Finchley Hall programmed and operated the sound.
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