Theater to Go presents "1776, the Musical" at the Kelsey Theatre

Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 11/02/2026

(WEST WINDSOR, NJ) -- Theater to Go presents 1776, the Musical across two weekends from November 6-15, 2026 at the Kelsey Theatre. Igniting the stage in honor of our 250th Anniversary, the Tony Award-winning hit that brings America's founding to thrilling life!

At the center of the story is the outspoken and often exasperating John Adams, who, alongside Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, must persuade a reluctant Congress to take a step that could cost them everything. Through humor, memorable music, and passionate debate, "1776" reveals the founding fathers not as distant historical figures, but as complicated, imperfect human beings confronting an extraordinary choice.

Smart, funny, and deeply moving, this classic musical reminds audiences that great change begins with courageous voices.

Performances take place Friday, November 6 at 8:00pm; Saturday, November 7 at 2:00pm; Sunday, November 8 at 2:00pm; Saturday, November 14 at 2:00pm & 8:00pm; and Sunday, November 15 at 2:00pm. Tickets are available for purchase online. Kelsey Theatre is located at 1200 Old Trenton Road in West Windsor, New Jersey.

Historian William "Larry" Kidder will join Theater to Go for a post-show talk back and afternoon tea after the matinee performances on Sunday, November 8 and Sunday, November 15.

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William L. "Larry" Kidder is an acclaimed historian and author specializing in New Jersey’s role in the American Revolution, including works like Ten Crucial Days and Revolutionary Princeton. His deeply researched books spotlight the untold stories of ordinary people who shaped early American independence. His newest book is The Revolutionary History if a free Black Man Jacob’s Francis’ story reveals the many obstacles encountered by free Black people during the time of slavery and gradual abolition in New Jersey.

New Jersey cast members include include Carlos Najera-Gonzalez (George Read) and Bill Kamps (Edward Rutledge) of Burlington; Alex Ridder (Courier) of Flemington; Ed Forsthoffer (John Dickinson), Ed Liu (Roger Sherman), Jim Morris (John Hancock), Shawn Simmons (Thomas Jefferson), Joey Violi (Leather Apron), and Jimmy Zimmerman (Charles Thomson) of Hamilton; Robert Brown (Dr. Josiah Bartlett) of Kingston; Stan Karuzis (Thomas McKean) and Mark Shifton (Samuel Chase) of Lawrenceville; Barry Leonard (Stephen Hopkins) and Norm Politziner (Caesar Rodney) of Monroe; John McCorry (John Witherspoon) of Princeton; Cecelia Tepping (Abigail Adams) of Princeton Junction; Lucinda Fisher (Martha Jefferson) of Stockton; Patrick Lavery (John Adams) of Titusville; and Don Hallcom (Benjamin Franklin) and Nick Kianka (Robert Livingston) of Trenton.

Pennsylvania cast members include Tammy Tuckey (Richard Henry Lee) of Ambler; Tim Costello (Lewis Morris) of Bristol; Joe Stockette (Joseph Hewes) of Langhorne; Phil Zipkin (Andrew McNair) of New Hope; Steve Wolfe (James Wilson) of Newtown; and Steve Vardy (Dr. Lyman Hall) of Yardley.

The production is directed and produced by Ruth Markoe of Lawrenceville, N.J., with musical direction by Sue denOuter of Yardley, Pa., and choreography by Haley Schmalbach of Lawrenceville.

For director and producer Ruth Markoe, bringing 1776 to the stage has offered a fresh perspective on the enormous risks undertaken by the nation's founders.

"Directing 1776 has reminded me just how brave—and how risky—the decision to declare independence really was," Markoe said. "We look back knowing how the story ended, but these men had no such certainty."

Originally produced on Broadway in 1969, "1776" won three Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and remains one of American musical theater's most distinctive works.

Theater to Go was founded in 1992 as R&R Productions. Their inaugural production was Murder on the Campaign Trail which they performed on an antique steam train in New Jersey. Since then they have entertained thousands of people and have traveled across the country to perform for corporations, conventions, fundraisers and in public and private venues.

Kelsey Theatre is wheelchair accessible, with free parking next to the Theatre. For a complete listing of adult and children's events, visit the Kelsey website or call the box office for a brochure.