"1776"

   The first Broadway-type show, (involving professional actors), that I ever saw was a  Bi-Centennial production of  "1776".  It was the national touring company version performed in a huge outdoor amphi-theater.  It featured pretty much the original  N.Y.C. cast, except that Peter Graves, (of, "Do you like gladiator movies, Jimmy"?,  fame),  played Jefferson and someone other than Betty Buckley played his wife.  It was a pretty good show, nevertheless.

   The very very very first full-fledged musical I saw in person was "Bye Bye, Birdie" in Misawa, Japan.  It was a 1970 USO production staged by members of the Kansas State University Drama Department.  Those kids sang their hearts out.  "Hi ya, Hugo.  Hi ya, Stupid.  Wudge ya wanna go get pinned for"?").  It was impressive!

   You don't find many people humming songs from "1776" in the elevator these days.  In fact, there may not have been even one memorable tune in the show, (in the sense of having an impact on the "popular music" scene, that is).  But there were some good ones!  There was a spot-on ditty delivered by John Adams -- mocking the manner in which many lawmakers routinely make important legislative decisions.  It's called, "Piddle, Twiddle & Resolve".  (Call me cynical, but I believe that there's yet another ".. iddle" word that could be appropriately inserted into that song title).  And, for sheer melodrama, you can't beat "Molasses to Rum" -- condemning the hypocrisy of Northern politicians and merchants regarding the issue of slavery, (sung by Rep. Rutledge of South Carolina).

   But for sheer pathos, the nod goes to the ballad, "Is Anybody There?".  Throughout the production, the Clerk reads a series of field dispatches, (from General Washington to the Continental Congress).  He paints a rather pessimistic picture of the war's progress and pleads for increased support from the seemingly ambivalent Congress.  (They've pretty much written off the general as a "Chicken-Little" type, playing on their ignorance and fears).  The tone of his communications can be expressed in the plaintive inquiries, "...Is anybody there?  Does anybody care?". 

(Note:  Some things don't change very much.  There's still a lot of that type of questioning going on -- even today!  Is anybody ... ?  Does anybody ...?   Perhaps it's time for a reality check or a New Year's Resolution!)

   Later in the story, Adams is extremely frustrated because he can't seem to convince enough of his fellow delegates to get on-board the Independence Express.  Despite John's best efforts, he must face the fact that the legislators are uncomfortable with his nagging and simply don't have the time (or inclination) to look at the twenty-seven eight-by-ten color photos, (with circles and arrows, and a paragraph on the back of each one saying why they should rebel).  Potentially, Jefferson's, "When in the course of human events .........(Yada, Yada, Yada) ........ and our sacred honor", creation could  have been written for naught.  "What a bummer!", John wonders.

   At the very point when his morale is at its lowest, Adams throws a one-man "pity-party", (Nancy couldn't attend), in the bell tower of  stately Independence Hall.  He softly sings, "Is Anybody There?", (echoing G.W.'s lament).  "Does Anybody Care?".  The irony, of course is that the difficulty was all his doing  -- his being so full of himself, and having such unrealistic expectations.  Adams had no one but Adams to blame.

   But all's well that ends well, (as it usually does on the Broadway stage and in Hollywood movies).

   Fortunately, the salt peter arrives from Boston, Franklin awakens from his nap and Caesar Rodney rides in from Delaware, (toothache and all), to save the day.  The "Ayes" have it, and the measure for independence passes.  A-mer-ica, A-mer-ica, God shine his grace on thee ... etc. etc. etc.