Ohio State Mansfield Theatre and Mansfield Playhouse to Present ‘1776’

The Ohio State University is celebrating the nation’s 250^th birthday with a special performance of the musical 1776 at the Mansfield campus, one of many America250 activities within the university.

Adapted from a book by the same title, 1776 captures the drama and spectacle of what our founding fathers experienced as they decided to declare their independence from England.

The Theatre Program at Ohio State Mansfield is working with The Mansfield Playhouse to offer six performances, March 7-9 in Founders Auditorium, and March 13-15 at the Mansfield Playhouse.

The musical follows John Adams, Benjamin Franklin, and Thomas Jefferson as they attempt to convince the members of the Second Continental Congress to vote for independence and sign the Declaration. The only guarantees are drama, humor and lots of contention.

“The characters do a fair amount of arguing and bickering as they debate whether to declare intendance,” said Heidi Ankrum, stage manager. “This is a good portrayal of what our forefathers experienced as they debated a decision that would ultimately lead to revolution.”

The musical involves cast and crew from campus, as well as the broader campus community.

“This is a well-timed production because it is the 250^th anniversary of the United States,” said John Erme, an actor from Canton who is playing Roger Sherman.

This is Erme’s first time acting, although the retired history buff says he watches 1776 annually and decided to get more involved. His family and friends are excited as well, and he is hoping as many as 30 of his own guests will attend the live performance.

“This play is both funny and serious, and you will learn something that will stick with you,” he said.

DeShaun Williams is a freshman from Cleveland majoring in mechanical engineering. He will play John Dickinson – an attorney and politician from Philadelphia.

“As actors, we get to experience a lot of realistic conversation and we can really feel the presence of how it would have been in this period,” said Williams. “Guests will get a good look at how our Declaration of Independence actually came to happen.”

Performances at Ohio State Mansfield’s Founders Hall will be held March 7 at 7:30 p.m., March 8 at 2:30 p.m., and March 9 at 7:30 p.m. 

Performances at the Mansfield Playhouse will be held March 13-14 at 7:30 p.m., and March 15 2:30 p.m.

This production is supported by the Ohio America250 Commission and Ohio State’s America250. Directed by Doug Wertz, artistic director of The Mansfield Playhouse.
All Tickets for 1776: $10 and $12 through: https://www.mansfieldplayhouse.com/
Tickets and Reservations: 419-522-2883

Box Office hours in Founders Hall are Wednesday through Friday, 1 -6 p.m. and with a box office on site in the location where that day’s performance will take place one hour prior to each performance.

For more information, Joe Fahey can be reached at fahey.9@osu.edu or 419-755-4276.