Four-Eight-Four [dot org]

I wrote early yesterday morning that our opening performance of 1776 was last night. I’m pleased to report that the performance was a great success … despite my reservations.

You see, we had to seriously revise the dance number I’m in at the last minute, due to the stage not being large enough to accomdate the original plan, which was conceived before the construction of the stage and set. The first time we practiced the revised ending to the dance number was at our dress rehearsal on Wednesday night.

After the first run-through, I commented to some of the others that we had set a new standard for ‘disorganized.’

Last night, however, it seemed to go off well … and the choreographer (who happens to also be my sister-in-law) was quite pleased with how well it worked.

So, I’m guessing that things can only get better.

If you’re able, come out and see one of the remaining public performances, which are being held at Forrest Avenue United Methodist Church (just off Frazier Ave.):

Admission is free, though donations are accepted to defray the cost of the production.

And … here’s a bit of 1776-related trivia for you …

In both the musical and in real life, Thomas Jefferson and Edward Rutledge (of South Carolina) were on opposite sides of the slavery issue. Jefferson’s original draft of the Declaration had a strong anti-slavery clause in it … and due to Rutledge’s influence, South Carolina and Georgia refused to sign it while the clause remained (in the musical, the delegate I play, Joseph Hewes of North Carolina, stood with Rutledge as well, but that is not historically accurate).

Jefferson seems to have intended to free his slaves during his lifetime, but did not ultimately do so until after his death (he apparently was prevented from doing so because of liens against them by creditors).

However … one delegate to the Second Continental Congress freed his slaves after returning home. Who was that delegate, you ask?

Edward Rutledge of South Carolina … the same man who opposed the inclusion of the anti-slavery clause in the Declaration.

Very interesting …

p.s. I know I say that we have seven performances remaining in the title, but only list five. Those are the remaining public performances. We are also doing two private performances for local school groups next week during the day.