America’s Prize-Winning Musical comes to the Center for the Arts July 1–3, 2026, in Celebration of America’s 250th Birthday
As America prepares to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 2026, theatres across the country are presenting productions of the Tony Award-winning musical 1776 as part of the nationwide celebration. From regional theatres to community and educational stages, the landmark American musical is experiencing renewed interest, reminding audiences of the passion, debate, humor, and humanity behind the birth of the United States.
The College of Staten Island Center for the Arts and Ghostlight Players proudly join theatres nationwide in celebrating America250 with a co-production of 1776, presented July 1 through 3, 2026 at the Center for the Arts.
Directed by Gary Bradley (Ghostlight’s Bridges of Madison County), 1776 features music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and a book by Peter Stone. Based on a concept of Sherman Edwards.
The Tony Award-winning musical brings to life the pivotal events leading to the drafting and signing of the Declaration of Independence as John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson struggle to persuade the Second Continental Congress to declare independence and break free from British rule. Blending history, humor, and political drama, 1776 reveals the humanity behind America’s Founding Fathers through its celebrated score and witty, award-winning script.
The cast features Joe O’Malley as John Adams, Samantha Chiodo as Abigail Adams, Charles Sullivan as Benjamin Franklin, Craig Kwasnicki as John Dickinson, James McKeon as Thomas Jefferson, Sophia Condon as Martha Jefferson, Jack Dabdoub as John Hancock, Jeff Poindexter as Dr. Josiah Bartlett, Mitch Maglio as Stephen Hopkins, Jai Sada as Roger Sherman, Joseph Daly as Lewis Morris, Al Pica as Robert Livingston, John Cayton as Andrew McNair, Tony Verrilli as Rev. Jonathan Witherspoon, Robert Vaccaro as James Wilson, Robert Heffernan as Caesar Rodney, Richard Ryan as Col. Thomas McKean, Michael Portantiere as George Read, Eli Gottesman as Samuel Chase, John Herron as Richard Henry Lee, David Serrano-Hernandez as Joseph Hewes, BJ High as Edward Rutledge, Nick Gennaro as Dr. Lyman Hall, Eddie Mayrose as Charles Thomson, Liam High as A Leather Apron, John Gainer as the Courier, with Tom Burns, Ed Callahan, Jeff Rosenberg, Tom Shcherbenko, and Tom Zerega in the ensemble.
The production team includes Gary Bradley (Director), Niall Sullivan (Music Director), Anna Glenn Sparks (Choreography), Craig Kwasnicki (Set Design), Scaramouche (Costumes), Melissa Sekzer Kane (Hair & Makeup Design), Charles Moser (Lighting Design), Curtis Kwasnicki (Production Manager), Austin Maida (Assistant Stage Manager) and Katie Scibelli (Production Stage Manager).
Charlie Siedenburg, Artistic Director for the CFA, and Charles Sullivan, Executive Producer of Ghostlight Players, serve as Co-Producers.
Produced by legendary Broadway producer Stuart Ostrow and directed by Peter Hunt, 1776 burst onto Broadway on March 16, 1969, capturing the spirit, humor, and humanity behind America’s founding. The groundbreaking musical went on to win three Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and enjoyed an impressive run of 1,217 performances. Its celebrated original cast featured unforgettable performances by William Daniels, Howard da Silva, Ken Howard, and Betty Buckley. In 1972, Warner Bros. brought the musical to the big screen in a critically acclaimed film adaptation, with several original Broadway stars reprising their iconic roles for a new generation of audiences.
Performances of 1776 are Wednesday, July 1 at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, July 2 at 7:00 p.m., and Friday, July 3 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.
Tickets: $35 adults; $30 seniors/students. Available online at CSI Center for the Arts and Ghostlight Players, Inc. Presents: 1776, The Musical
This production is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). (www.mtishows.com)
