The Ford’s Theatre campus will be closed on May 21 and June 3, 2012.
The campus includes the museum, theatre, Petersen House and Center for Education and Leadership.

1776

Musical 1776 at Ford's Theatre

Most performances of 1776 are close to selling out, so seat availability is limited. Become a John T. Ford Society member today and ensure access to the best seats in the house. For more information, please call us at (202) 434-9545 or click the link above.

“Feast on the tableau 1776 conjures, with a stage populated end to end with characters dressed in grand, Colonial Williamsburg fashion by Wade Laboissionniere, bursting fairly regularly into harmony. The production is calculated to stir the soul of every lover of the American story, without regard to which lever you pull on Election Day.” -The Washington Post

Read more reviews.

“It was outstanding—one of the best I have seen. Great staging, strong firm voices, the wit and humor spot on.” –Bethany V., patron

Read more patron comments.

Watch the trailer.

1776
music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards
book by Peter Stone
based on a concept by Sherman Edwards
music direction by Jay Crowder
choreographed by Michael Bobbitt
directed by Peter Flynn
March 9-May 19, 2012

With quick-witted dialogue and a playful score, 1776 dramatizes the impassioned debates of Philadelphia’s Second Continental Congress. As George Washington sends updates from the military front, patriots John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson attempt to persuade the 13 colonies to separate from British rule. Motivated by a series of abuses from King George, America’s first politicians forge a new democracy by composing the Declaration of Independence. Based on the letters and memoirs of America’s founding fathers, this classic, Tony Award-winning musical showcases the principles, pride and determination that influenced the birth of our nation.

“A most striking, most gripping musical! A musical with style, humanity, wit and passion.”
The New York Times

“As the play begins, you can almost feel the stifling heat of that Philadelphia hall where our founding fathers “piddled, twiddled and resolved.” While the play skewers the timeless vagaries of politicking, it also reminds us that war was never far from the minds of these men. As they gathered together—far away from their homes, families and occupations—they understood the heavy and dangerous task proposed to them: declaring that these ‘thirteen united States of America’ should forever separate from Great Britain. With another election year upon us, it seems appropriate to present this musical in Washington at this time, to see what these great men accomplished amid deep acrimony and heated passions—and also what they did not.” –Paul R. Tetreault, director, Ford’s Theatre

Recommended for ages 8 and up. Act 1 runs 1 hour and 10 minutes. Act 2 runs 1 hour and 30 minutes. There is a 15-minute intermission.

Post-Performance Discussion: March 15
Following the 7:30 p.m. performance, members of the cast will take questions from the audience and discuss the artistic process. Post-performance discussions begin immediately after the performance. Individuals who did not attend the show but wish to attend the discussion will be invited into the theatre after the audience from the performance departs.

Pre-Performance Discussion with Cokie Roberts: May 1 - SOLD OUT!
Award-winning author and journalist Cokie Roberts discusses her work celebrating Revolutionary-era women, whose patriotism and sacrifice helped create a new nation. Event includes drinks and sandwiches. $25 ($20 for members/groups); does not include performance ticket. Member/Group On-Sale: February 9; Public On-Sale: March 8.

1776 Pre-Performance Discussion with Dr. Edna Medford: May 7
Dr. Edna Medford discusses the African-American experience during the American Revolution, including the role of black soldiers in both the British and Continental armies and the promises of emancipation made by both sides. Event includes drinks and sandwiches. $25 ($20 for members/groups); does not include performance ticket. Space is limited. Member/Group On-Sale: March 5; Public On-Sale: April 2.

Visit the Center for Education and Leadership
Tickets for 1776 include access to the exhibits in the new Center for Education and Leadership. Patrons with tickets to an evening performance can visit the Petersen House and Center exhibits beginning at 5 p.m. The Petersen House closes at 5:30 p.m., and the Center remains open until 6:30 p.m. Matinee patrons can visit the Center before or after the performance; final entry is at 5:30 p.m.

Sponsors: Raytheon Company, Verizon, Visa Inc., United Technologies Corporation, Altria Group
Media Partner: ABC7/NewsChannel8/TBD.com

Please note: The March 14 performance is a private performance.Helen Hayes Recommended

Dates

  • Friday, March 9, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Saturday, March 10, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Monday, March 12, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Tuesday, March 13, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Wednesday, March 14, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Thursday, March 15, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Friday, March 16, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Saturday, March 17, 2012 - 2:00pm
  • Saturday, March 17, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Monday, March 19, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Tuesday, March 20, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Wednesday, March 21, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Thursday, March 22, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Friday, March 23, 2012 - 2:00pm
  • Friday, March 23, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Saturday, March 24, 2012 - 2:00pm
  • Saturday, March 24, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Monday, March 26, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Tuesday, March 27, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Wednesday, March 28, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Thursday, March 29, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Friday, March 30, 2012 - 2:00pm
  • Friday, March 30, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Saturday, March 31, 2012 - 2:00pm
  • Saturday, March 31, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Monday, April 2, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Tuesday, April 3, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Wednesday, April 4, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Thursday, April 5, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Friday, April 6, 2012 - 2:00pm
  • Friday, April 6, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Saturday, April 7, 2012 - 2:00pm
  • Saturday, April 7, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Tuesday, April 10, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Wednesday, April 11, 2012 - 2:00pm
  • Wednesday, April 11, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Friday, April 13, 2012 - 2:00pm
  • Friday, April 13, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Saturday, April 14, 2012 - 2:00pm
  • Saturday, April 14, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Monday, April 16, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Tuesday, April 17, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Wednesday, April 18, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Thursday, April 19, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Friday, April 20, 2012 - 2:00pm
  • Friday, April 20, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Saturday, April 21, 2012 - 2:00pm
  • Saturday, April 21, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Tuesday, April 24, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Wednesday, April 25, 2012 - 2:00pm
  • Wednesday, April 25, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Thursday, April 26, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Friday, April 27, 2012 - 2:00pm
  • Friday, April 27, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Saturday, April 28, 2012 - 2:00pm
  • Saturday, April 28, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Monday, April 30, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Tuesday, May 1, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Wednesday, May 2, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Thursday, May 3, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Friday, May 4, 2012 - 12:00pm
  • Friday, May 4, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Saturday, May 5, 2012 - 2:00pm
  • Saturday, May 5, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Monday, May 7, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Tuesday, May 8, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Wednesday, May 9, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Thursday, May 10, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Friday, May 11, 2012 - 12:00pm
  • Friday, May 11, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Saturday, May 12, 2012 - 2:00pm
  • Saturday, May 12, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Monday, May 14, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Tuesday, May 15, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Wednesday, May 16, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Thursday, May 17, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Friday, May 18, 2012 - 2:00pm
  • Friday, May 18, 2012 - 7:30pm
  • Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 2:00pm
  • Saturday, May 19, 2012 - 7:30pm