(BEACH HAVEN, NJ) -- Witness the birth of a nation as our forefathers struggle to craft the Declaration of Independence with Surflight Theatre's production of 1776, the Musical from August 18-30, 2026. Photographer John Posada was on hand to take photos.
The seminal event in American history blazes to vivid life in this most unconventional of Broadway hits. 1776 puts a human face on the pages of history as we see the men behind the national icons: proud, frightened, uncertain, irritable, charming, often petty and ultimately noble figures, determined to do the right thing for a fledgling nation.
It's the summer of 1776, and the nation is ready to declare independence... if only our founding fathers can agree to do it! 1776 follows John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia as they attempt to convince the members of the Second Continental Congress to vote for independence from the shackles of the British monarchy by signing the Declaration of Independence.
1776 is a funny, insightful and compelling drama with a striking score and legendary book.
Performances take place August 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 25, 26, 27, 29 at 8:00pm; and matinees on August 20, 23, 25, 27, 30 at 2:00pm. Tickets are available for purchase online. Surflight Theatre is located at 201 Engleside Avenue in Beach Haven, New Jersey.
The cast includes Don Daniels (John Adams), Noah Lyon (Thomas Jefferson), Frank Crumbaugh (Benjamin Franklin), Alison Nusbaum (Abigail Adams), Melanie Becker (Martha Jefferson), Luke Anderson (Joseph Hewes), Maxwell Bass (Charles Thomson), Mike Brennan (Richard Henry Lee), John Durazzo (Lewis Morris), Ryan Edge (George Read), Nathan Gutman (Dr. Josiah Bartlett), Isaiah Hilliard (Courier), Mark James (Leather Apron), John Little (Colonel Thomas McKean), John Martelli (Andrew McNair), Matt Michael (Edward Rutledge), Jack Mintz (Robert Livingston), Taylor Hilt Mitchell (Roger Sherman), Ricky Pope (Joseph Hewes), Peter Clapsis (James Wilson), Keith Schneider (Samuel Chase), David Sitler (John Dickinson), Steve Steiner (Stephen Hopkins), Tim Steiner (John Hancock), Jonathan Van Dyke (Dr. Lymon Hall), and Ian Wehrle (Caesar Rodney).
1776 is presented by through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).
Here are more photos from the production.
John Posada is a New Jersey based photographer specializing in photographing live theatre and music performances. Currently, John has spent the last 6 years concentrating on photographing almost 400 theater productions at over 70 different NJ theatres. Click here for John's website.
