Raleigh Little Theatre to Stage Tony-Winning Musical 1776 This Spring

Raleigh Little Theatre will carry its 2025-2026 season forward with the Tony Award-winning musical 1776, running March 27 through April 19 at the Cantey V. Sutton Theatre. The show opens Thursday night at 301 Pogue St. in Raleigh, where John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania, and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia attempt to convince the members of the Second Continental Congress to vote for independence from the British monarchy by signing the Declaration of Independence.

The show premiered on Broadway in 1969, where it received acclaim and won three Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Music and lyrics are by Sherman Edwards, with a book by Peter Stone, based on a concept by Sherman Edwards; the original Broadway production was directed by Peter Hunt and originally produced by Stuart Ostrow.

Directed by former RLT Artistic Director Patrick Torres, the production revisits the birth of the United States through a modern lens, inviting audiences to reflect on the nation's founding ideals and their continued evolution. Torres is direct about what draws him to the material right now. "The promise of the Declaration has always been unfinished," he said. "In our production of 1776, the debates of 1776 meet the world we live in today, inviting audiences to reflect on how each generation moves that promise forward. Exploring these ideas with the cast has connected us to this foundational document, and we are excited to share the work with the audience."

RLT's production arrives as the nation approaches the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, offering audiences a chance to reflect on the ideals that shaped the country and how they continue to resonate today. The creative team has leaned into that semiquincentennial moment deliberately: RLT is building a cast that reflects the full diversity of America, with every role open to anyone regardless of age (18 and up), gender identity, or ethnicity.

The production is music directed by Katherine Anderson and choreographed by Aya Wallace, with scenic design by Shannon Clark, costume design by Denise Schumaker, and stage management by Cynita Lew.

Performances run Thursday through Saturday at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday at 3:00 p.m. on reserved seating. The runtime is approximately 2 hours 45 minutes, including one 15-minute intermission. The Friday, March 27 opening-night performance at 8:00 p.m. will feature audio description for audience members with visual disabilities. A post-show discussion will also take place on April 12, giving audiences an opportunity to explore the themes of the production and the historical moment it portrays. School matinees are scheduled for April 14 and April 15 at 10:00 a.m.

The production is funded in part by the City of Raleigh based on recommendations of the Raleigh Arts Commission, and is supported by United Arts Wake County as well as the N.C. Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural and Cultural Resources. Additional support comes from The Cardinal at North Hills and media sponsor WRAL. 1776 is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International, which also supplies all authorized performance materials.

Founded in 1936, Raleigh Little Theatre is one of the oldest continuously operating community theatres in the United States, offering entertainment, education, and community programs year-round and reaching 40,000 people. Tickets are on sale now through the RLT box office at 919-821-3111.