Northwestern College to present 1776 musical

The Northwestern College theatre department will present the musical “1776” April 10–11 and 16–18 in the DeWitt Theatre Arts Center’s England Theatre. Performances will begin at 7:30 each of those evenings; there will also be a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, April 11.

“1776” brings to life the debates and decisions that led to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Frustrated by life under British rule, John Adams pushes the members of the Continental Congress to consider a bold step—voting for American independence. As Adams, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson and their fellow delegates debate and negotiate, they must decide how much they are willing to compromise in the name of freedom—and who that freedom will ultimately serve.

Directed by Cornelia Hayes Reed, a 2020 Northwestern graduate and visiting assistant professor of theatre, the production invites audiences to reflect on America’s founding from a contemporary perspective. The show features a diverse cast and design elements that blend historical and modern styles. Many of the roles are performed by women, a casting choice Hayes Reed says invites audiences to think about the nation’s founding in a new way.

“We’re not asking the audience to forget that they’re in 2026,” says Hayes Reed. “Instead, we’re inviting them to view the events leading to the Declaration of Independence through a contemporary lens and consider questions like ‘Who is America for?’ and ‘What is the cost of independence?’”

The musical highlights both the high-stakes tensions and the humanity of the delegates as they gather in Philadelphia in the summer of 1776 to debate the nation’s future.

The production is a collaboration between Northwestern’s theatre and music departments. Dr. Angela (Holt) Carlson, professor of music, serves as music director and conductor of the orchestra, and Cindy Moeller is the vocal coach.

Tickets for “1776” are $10 for adults and $5 for students. They go on sale to Theatre Patrons March 25 and to the general public starting March 27. Tickets can be reserved at nwciowa.edu/tickets or by calling the box office at 712-707-7098 or emailing [email protected].

Regarded as one of the best Christian college theatre programs in the country, Northwestern’s theatre department features a collaborative, excellence-oriented environment committed to helping students develop their creative gifts for service in God’s kingdom. Study with Northwestern’s award-winning faculty in the outstanding facilities of DeWitt Theatre Arts Center.