AVAILABLE ROLES

LEAD

John Adams (bari-tenor/solo). Massachusetts delegate. The leading voice for separation from Britain and the Declaration of Independence. Strong oratory skills, brilliant mind, bold and brash personality. The running joke throughout the show is that he is “obnoxious and disliked,” but, actually, he must have a magnetic quality that commands respect from his fellow members of Congress. Harvard graduate, experienced lawyer. Sings several duets with his wife, Abigail. Large amount of dialogue.

Benjamin Franklin (baritone-bass/solo). Pennsylvania delegate Benjamin Franklin is urbane and cool-headed. His logic often prevails where the emotions of others fail. He and Adams lead the charge for independence. He is an energetic, older man but often acts much younger. Franklin is pleasant, philosophical, boyish and often funny, but he does show his anger and seriousness in some scenes. Highly experienced statesman, diplomat, inventor, writer, humorist and philosopher. Large amounts of dialogue.

Thomas Jefferson (tenor/solo). In spite of his many protests, he is selected to pen the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson is a man of few words, but when he speaks he commands attention. Should be taller than average. Pensive, quiet, strong silent type. Sense of humor. Architect, writer, farmer, scientist, statesman, lawyer, violin player (actual ability to play the violin would be a bonus but is not required).

SUPPORTING

Abigail Adams (mezzo-soprano/solo). Wife of John Adams, her communications with John tell some of the story of the Declaration and much of the story of her and John’s love and life. Abigail’s tone is one of maturity, intellectual support and strong encouragement to her husband. Subtle sense of humor. She appears in three duets with John Adams, communicating via letters, but she appears onstage with him and converses with him naturally.

Martha Jefferson (mezzo-soprano/solo). The young and beautiful wife of Thomas Jefferson, Martha Jefferson is brought to Philadelphia to help dispel Jefferson’s writer’s block. Martha is flirtatious, young and attractive. Some dialogue, in one scene only.

Edward Rutledge (bari-tenor/solo). South Carolina delegate Rutledge serves as a strong antagonist to John Adams, representing the Southern delegation’s perspective. While not a villain, his views and arguments highlight the conflict over slavery, a divisive issue that deeply impacts the debates leading to independence. Must be a commanding actor with excellent oratory skills. Speaks with an elegant, educated South Carolina accent. Statesman, lawyer.

John Hancock (any/solo). President of the Continental Congress, has quite a lot of dialogue, sings with the ensemble opening number and has a short solo in “Cool, Cool, Considerate Men.” Must be able to command attention and keep the Congress in order.

Charles Thompson (any/solo). The secretary of the Congress. In the show, he reads all the letters from General George Washington, introduces each item up for a vote, gives minutes from previous sessions of Congress and has one short solo when he reads a final letter from Washington. He has quite a bit of dialogue. Actor must be able to sound very efficient in reading letters and in rattling off long lists of congressional duties and committees.

John Dickinson (baritone/solo). Pennsylvania delegate, primary adversary of the show, portrayed as opposing independence. He has lots of dialogue and one major solo. He represents the conservative side of Congress, the wealthy landowners who do not want to break from Great Britain.

Stephen Hopkins (any). Rhode Island delegate and crusty old geezer who loves his rum. Supporter of independence. Has a moderate amount of dialogue. Sings in with ensemble in the opening number. Has an active part in the show and is always one of the most memorable characters. Usually portrayed in black Quaker hat and coat, and with long silver hair.

Caesar Rodney (any). Delaware delegate Caesar Rodney wears a type of chin strap or head scarf that covers skin cancer. He is a supporter of independence, but he has a dramatic collapse in the middle of the show and does not reappear until the end after his long ride from Delaware. Moderate amount of dialogue. Sings with ensemble.

Colonel Thomas McKean (any). Delaware delegate Colonel Thomas McKean is Scottish, very loud and very vocal with his thick accent. Some dialogue and sings with the ensemble in the opening.

Richard Henry Lee (tenor/solo). Virginia delegate selected to make the argument for independence to the Congress, as Adams is having little luck. A comedic role. Although he appears in several scenes with the rest of Congress, his one solo song often steals the show. Speaks and sings with a noticeable country/Southern twang. His song is a bragging song about all the famous Lees in his family tree. Some dialogue.

FEATURED

Dr. Josiah Bartlett (any). New Hampshire delegate. Small amount of dialogue. No solos, but sings with the ensemble in opening number and is present throughout show in Congress.

Roger Sherman (tenor/solo). Connecticut delegate Roger Sherman sides in favor of independence and is on the committee to write the Declaration. Few lines of dialogue.

Lewis Morris (any). Lead delegate of New York who typically abstains from every vote. Some dialogue throughout show. Sings with the ensemble.

Robert Livingston (tenor/solo). New York delegate Livingston has short solos in the opening number and is on the committee to write the declaration.

Reverend John Witherspoon (non-singing). New Jersey delegate. He appears midway through Act One. He argues for, and wins, the inclusion of the Supreme Being in the Declaration. Has a moderate amount of dialogue. No major solos. Supporter of independence. Congressional chaplain.

James Wilson (any). Pennsylvania delegate James Wilson casts the final vote to approve the Declaration—not because of his own belief in the cause but because he does not want to be remembered in history as “the man who prevented American independence.” Small amount of dialogue. Sings with the ensemble.

George Read (any). Delaware delegate George Read is opposed to independence and sides with Dickinson. He argues with members of his own delegation. Usually portrayed as rather fussy and weaselly. Always seconds the motions of the opposition. A few lines of dialogue.

Samuel Chase (any). Maryland delegate Samuel Chase always seems to be eating sloppily. He initially sides with Dickinson. A few lines of dialogue and only sings with the ensemble.

Joseph Hewes (any). North Carolina delegate. His main characteristic is that he is always deferring to Edward Rutledge of South Carolina and does not seem to have much independent thought for himself. He is against independence. Small amount of dialogue and sings with the ensemble.

Dr. Lyman Hall (any). Georgia delegate, physician and pastor. Moderate amount of dialogue. Has an important dramatic scene toward the end of the show.

Andrew McNair (non-singing). The custodian and bell-ringer. Quirky, exasperated man who lights the fires and candles, opens and closes the windows, fills the inkwells and keeps the Continental Congress meeting room clean. He is supervisor to a leather apron, who is learning McNair’s job. McNair’s additional job is to fetch mugs of rum. Considerable amount of dialogue.

Leather Apron (any). Young apprentice in training to learn McNair’s custodial trade.

Courier (tenor/solo). A young messenger who carries letters from George Washington to the Congress. Has a bit of dialogue, sings one solo song. Mostly known for his clomping entrances several times during the show.

Painter (any). An artist who paints Benjamin Franklin’s portrait.