The following is a list of the characters and my views and opinions of them. Please don't flame me over anything I say here. If you disagree, e-mail me and I'll post your opinion. I give my word I won't ridicule you for it. All revival pics were scanned by me from the booklet that came with the new Broadway soundtrack. The film pics came from 1776: The Musical.
Also, (shoulda thought of this earlier) if you know the range of a character (alto, soprano, tenor, bass), please let me know.
Main Characters
Secondary Characters
Tertiary Characters
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The male lead, he's the focus of the whole show. Most Americans remember him as the second President of the United States. Before there was even a United States, John Adams fought political battles for independence. In the movie, he's "obnoxious and disliked." This is said several times throughout the show and becomes a running gag of sorts. He has a very strong and domineering personality, but there are times when a softer side of him is apparent, mostly when he's 'talking' with his wife, Abigail. Is Anybody There? is the expression of the passion and fire Adams feels for the cause of independence. When Adams meets Martha Jefferson, Thomas Jefferson's wife, he is flustered and unsure of how he stands because she is so very beautiful, yet he's married. Franklin, however, has no qualms about spending time with the lovely lady. There isn't much dancing, per se, in this musical, but Adams does dance a little with Martha. Adams was portrayed by William Daniels (Mr. Feeny, from Boy Meets World) in the original Broadway production, as well as the 1972 film, and Brent Spiner (Data, from Star Trek: The Next Generation) in the Broadway revival. |
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Known by Americans as the inventor of the stove and bifocals, the discoverer of electricity, and the author of 'Poor Richard's Almanac', he is John Adams' confidant and 'partner-in-crime', he manages to keep the show from getting too serious. He often interjects a humourous note into an otherwise-somber moment, relieving tension before it becomes unbearable. Unlike Adams, he is universally liked and respected by the men of Congress. And yet, when the occasion calls for it, he can be serious. When he speaks, the other men listens. During the debate, Dickinson has trouble coming up with a strong response to Franklin's speech. When he meets Martha, he has no qualms about enjoying her company. Generally speaking, he's best played by an older man. He dances a little with Martha, but that's about it. Franklin was portrayed by Howard Da Silva and Rex Everhart (while Da Silva was ill) in the original Broadway production. Howard Da Silva also portrayed Franklin in the 1972 film and Pat Hingle portrayed Franklin in the revival. |
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Known by Americans as the second President and the author of the Declaration of Indepence, he doesn't say much. Jefferson is the quiet representative from Virginia who only wants to go home to spend time with his wife, Martha. Instead, he gets roped into writing the Declaration of Independence, when the other Virginian, Richard Henry Lee, declines a spot on the Declaration committee. Despite his quiet demeanor, he has some of the most eloquent lines in the whole show. When the gloves (and coats) are off, though, Jefferson's passion for his views becomes apparent, particularly when he is arguing for the abolition of slavery. He doesn't have that many solos, but a strong voice is still a plus. The actor who plays him should be tall, at least taller than whoever plays Adams. The difference in height between William Daniels and Ken Howard, who portrayed Jefferson in the original Broadway production and the 1972 film, was quite apparent, but the difference in height between Brent Spiner and Paul Michael Valley, who portrayed Jefferson in the revival, was considerably smaller. |
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The founder of Dickinson College in Pennsylvania, he is the figurehead of the conservative members of Congress. He fills the role of antagonist in the show and is the main singer in Cool, Cool Considerate Men. He also argues against independence in the debate and keeps Judge James Wilson under his thumb, until the very end. Another excellent weaver of words, he has some eloquent lines, and he leaves at the end of the show to join the army and fight for America. Obviously, since he is the main singer in one of the songs, he has to have an excellent voice. Dickinson was portrayed by Paul Hecht in the orginal Broadway production, Donald Madden in the 1972 film, and Michael Cumpsty in the revival. |
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An associate Justice of the Supreme Court, he is one of the quietest characters in the show, but he has the most pivotal role of any character: he's the one who decides the question of American independence. Dickinson effectively keeps Judge Wilson under his thumb throughout the show. There is one instance where Judge Wilson starts to argue with Dickinson, but one look is enough to stop Judge Wilson in his tracks. As far as I know, the character doesn't have many singing parts other than with the rest of the men, but a strong singing voice is always a big help. Judge Wilson was portrayed by Emory Bass in the original Broadway production and 1972 film and by Michael Winther in the revival. |
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Wife of John Adams, she was the Second First Lady. As a counter to the strength of Adams' personality, she has an equally strong and forceful personality, although it isn't as evident as her husband's. She truly is 'the power behind the throne' and 'the heart of the family.' She gently reproaches John for not sending for her when he sent for Martha and she keeps John from losing hope when it seems all is lost. It seems as if everytime she's onstage, she's singing, so an excellent voice is a must. Abigail was portrayed by Virginia Vestoff in the original Broadway production and the 1972 film and by Linda Emond in the revival. |
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The youngest man to sign the Declaration, he kept North Carolina delegate, Joseph Hewes under his thumb more effectively than Dickinson kept Judge Wilson under his thumb. The two Carolinas were united on every issue and threatened to vote against independence if the passage calling for the abolishment of slavery was not removed from the Declaration. It eventually was and two votes were swung to the 'Yea' side of the issue. A strong singing voice is a must for this character because he sings a powerful song, 'Molasses to Rum' towards the end of the show. The ability to speak with a southern accent is a big plus as well (I loved John Cullum's accent in the film). Rutledge was portrayed by Clifford David in the original Broadway production, John Cullum in the 1972 film, and Gregg Edleman in the revival. |
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A member of the illustrious Lee family, he is quite proud of the fact that he is a Lee of Old Virginia. A bold, brash fellow, he overshadows his fellow Virginian, Thomas Jefferson, until he leaves to become Govener of Virginia. He appears at the beginning of the show for Sit Down, John, his featured song, The Lees of Old Virginia, and probably the very end (I've never seen it live, so I can't be sure). He's a very flamboyant character, however, and the actor needs to be able to really sing out. He was portrayed by Ron Holgate in the original Broadway production and the 1972 film and by Merwin Foard in the revival. |
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