Theatre Tulsa’s next production of its 100th season, and the first in the new year, will be the beloved American musical “1776.”
“1776,” with music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and a book by Peter Stone, tells the story of America's Founding Fathers during the summer of 1776 as they debate and draft the Declaration of Independence.
For the Tulsa production, the company specifically sought a diverse range of women to play all roles. “In our production, I've guided my cast of women and non-binary actors not to play men, but the people of power who shaped our nation at its birth,” said Liz Bealko, the show’s director and choreographer. “Having these founding fathers portrayed by women strips the characters of their gender and gives the audience the opportunity to experience these characters in a totally new way, as if we are meeting them for the first time, while still telling the story of the American Revolution.
“Working on a show with an all female and non-binary cast has been incredible,” the Henryetta high alum said. “The amount of talent in the room is inspiring, and the support this cast has for each other is something a director wishes for in every production,” she added. “I look forward to the audience seeing our take on this classic American tale and enjoying the incredible talent these actors have to offer.”
The cast stars Teresa Nowlin as John Hancock, Marle Hylton as Josiah Bartlett, Kristen Simpson as John Adams , Kim Li Carlson as Stephen Hopkins, Karmen GoldenBough as Rodger Sherman, Elizabeth Mills as Lewis Morris, Alex Johnson as Robert Livingston, Kate Parker as Johnathan Whitherspoon/Abigail Adams, and Nan Kemp as Benjamin Franklin.
The cast also features Karlena Riggs as John Dickinson, Allison Johnston as James Wilson, Ashlee Osborn as Caesar Rodney, Sarah Morice Brubaker as Thomas McKean, Hayden Abel as George Read, Veronica Smith as Samuel Chase, Tasha McCabe as Richard Henry Lee, Amanda Nichols as Thomas Jefferson. Henryettans Felicia Andrews and Makayla Baxter are part of the cast. Andrews portrays Joseph Hewes and Baxter appears as Edward Rutledge. Other cast members include: Lydia Gray as Lyman Hall/Martha Jefferson, Natalia Rossi as Charles Thomson, Laura Skoch as Andrew McNair, Emma Morris as Washington/leather apron/painter, and Kathryn Brooks as Courier, with Emily Peterson and Autumn Villanueva as swings.
The show is directed and choreographed by Bealko, and music directed by Holly Harper. Live musicians are provided by Tulsa Peoples Orchestra, conducted by Benjamin Ray.
Performances will be January 13 through 29 in the Williams Theatre of the Tulsa Performing Arts Center. Showtimes on January 13-14, January 20-21, and January 27-28 are at 8 p.m.; The January 15, 22, and 29 matinees will be at 2 p.m. Tickets are available at tulsapac.com or by calling 918-596-7111.
For questions or more information about Theatre Tulsa and its upcoming shows and programs, visit theatretulsa.org, call 918-587-8402 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.