SEP/OCT 2013 - American Conservatory Theater

ABOUT ABOUT THE PLAY THE PLAY
DIRECTOR’S
DIRECTOR’S
By Frank Galati
By Frank Galati
“In Congress July 4, 1776, the unanimous
Declaration of the thirteen united States
of America . . . .” So begins our primal text.
1776 We declare opened ourselves on Broadway free and on independent March
16, Americans 1969. The and next for the year, first Viking time we Press are
published unanimous, a hardcover we speak with edition one voice. of the
script For the that first included time America a historical speaks note in the
by first-person the authors, plural. a select “We bibliography,
hold these truths
and to a be complete self evident, text that of all the men Declaration are created
equal, that they are endowed by their
of Independence.
Creator with certain inalienable Rights;
that among these are Life, Liberty, and the
pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these
rights, Governments are instituted among
Men, deriving their just powers from the
consent of the governed.”
We provide that consent—or deny it—by our vote. It is by
“yea” and by “nay” that democracy works, and no matter how
The bitterly parts of divided Thomas our Jefferson’s house may first be draft over that issues were or later candidates, struck we
out believe by Congress in democracy are printed and in hold italics—insertions firm the ideals of are our printed Founding
in capitals. Fathers and Much Mothers. of drama of this remarkable musical
is constellated It is also in by the “yea” debate, and by by “nay” our Founding that the musical Fathers, play over 1776
these is revisions. made. The The chamber crisis of of the the action Second is Continental reached with Congress thrilling
efficiency in Philadelphia, when Edward where Rutledge, the action delegate takes place, from South is dominated by
Carolina, a large demands tally board the where removal the of delegates’ one of Jefferson’s “yeas” and most “nays” are
eloquent recorded. passages, The drama the final intensifies trope in with the Declaration’s each vote cast. list Thirteen of
offences colonies: by Britain’s six vote king, “yea” firmly for independence. denouncing the Six vote institution “nay.” of One
slavery. colony “The abstains—and king,” Jefferson the wrote: story is so artful in this musical
telling has waged that, cruel as well war as against we feel human we know nature the outcome, itself, violating we feel at
its the most 11 th hour sacred that rights it simply of life can’t and liberty happen. in And the persons then it does, of as
we a distant knew people it would, who and never the congressional offended him, chamber captivating becomes and the
carrying delivery room them for into the slavery birth in of another a new nation. hemisphere, or to
incur But miserable the excitement death in about their the transportation Declaration of hither. Independence This
itself piratical was warfare, fueled by the the opprobrium revolutionary of infidel spirit that powers, prevailed is the before
warfare it was written. of the Christian There little king doubt of Great that Britain. every voting Determined delegate to
the to keep Second open Continental a market where Congress men had should by July be bought of ’76 read and the
recently sold, he published has . . . [suppressed] pamphlet of every Tom legislative Paine titled attempt Common to Sense.
In prohibit one of or his to most restrain stirring this passages, execrable Paine commerce writes, . .“We . this have it
in assemblage our power of to horrors. begin the world over again. A situation, similar
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