The Sheboygan Theatre Company announces the cast and crew for "1776,” the organization’s final production of the 2008-2009, Seventy-Fifth Anniversary season, which is sponsored by The Stefanie H. Weill Charitable Fund and Acuity for the Arts.

With music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and a book by Peter Stone, “1776” is an inspirational, dramatic, yet humorous recounting of the meetings of the Second Continental Congress which led to the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the American Colonies’ separation from England. Not a museum piece or a documentary, “1776” is a big Broadway musical which tells the story of the American Revolution in the most entertaining way possible.

“Anyone who loves both this great country of ours and wonderful musical theatre will have a fabulous time at “1776” and be entertained and inspired at the same time,” said Ralph Maffongelli, Director of Theatre.

Originally presented by the Sheboygan Theatre Company in the summer of 2000 as its first July 4^th presentation at the Fountain Park Band Shell, “1776” will now receive a full, indoor production as part of the regular season.

Six actors from that first production are returning, though three are playing different parts. Repeating the leading roles of John Adams and Thomas Jefferson respectively are Bill Te Winkle and Michael McGovern, while Brian M. Leffin is again the courier. Michael A. Eberhardy now takes the coveted role of Ben Franklin, while Glenn Schultz is back, but as Steven Hopkins, delegate from Rhode Island. and Don Held is this time Robert Livingston of New York.

Other delegates to the Continental Congress include Jake Monroe as Edward Rutledge of South Carolina, David A. Neese as Richard Henry Lee of Virginia and Dirk R. Milsted as John Dickinson of Pennsylvania. Jim Wucherer represents Connecticut as Roger Sherman, Steve Toepel is Lewis Morris of New York and Joe Selinski is Rev. John Witherspoon from New Jersey, while the Delaware delegation is comprised of Bill Coldren as Col. Thomas McKean, Jay Hilbelink as Caesar Rodney and Sean Philipps as George Read. North Carolina is represented by Joseph Hewes, played by Jon Cook; Georgia by Dr. Lyman Hall, portrayed by Leopold Shircel; and Maryland by Samuel Chase, acted by Matt Klett. Bob Staats is Judge James Wilson, also from Pennsylvania, and Kevin M. Lampe is Josiah Bartlett from New Hampshire.

Officers and staff of the Congress are Mike Roehl as President John Hancock, Lee Tempas as Secretary Charles Thomson, Jim Johnson as Andrew McNair, the custodian, and Holland White as his assistant, Leather Apron. Sandra Kasten and Lisa Golda appear respectively as Abigail Adams and Martha Jefferson.

While Neese, who has a great deal of theatre experience, is making his performing debut with the Sheboygan Theatre Company, the other twenty-five actors are long-time veterans of the organization. Combined they bring to “1776” more than 215 years of involvement with the Theatre Company, having worked on over 400 productions.

Staged and directed by Ralph Maffongelli, “1776” features musical direction by Janice Westphal and Veronica Hilke’s choreography of the conservative delegates’ minuet. The set has been created by the Theatre Company's resident technical director/designer, Dustin L. Uhl, while Rick Klein is designing the lights and Janice Remling the costumes. Sound designer is Todd Jaeger and make-up designers are Christy Zimmermann and Jenna Albrecht. Karen Herman is handling the properties for the production and Scott Landgraf Jr. is master electrician, while Lee J. Schneider is the master carpenter and Colleen Bertram and Kathy Schaffer the paint masters. Assisted by Samantha Lin Pool, Karen Held is the production stage manager.

"1776" will open Friday, May 29, and be performed each evening through Saturday, June 6, with the exceptions of Sunday and Monday. There is also a matinee on Sunday, May 31. The production will be presented at the completely handicap accessible Leslie W. Johnson Theatre, 2820 Union Avenue, Sheboygan, with evening shows at 7:30 p.m. and matinees at 2:00 p.m.

Admission is $20.00 for adults, $16.00 for seniors sixty and over and $10.00 for youngsters through high school and college students. Tickets are available at the Theatre Company office in the Community Recreation Department, 607 S. Water Street, or at the theatre box office 45 minutes before curtain of each performance. To learn more visit www.sheboygantheatercompany.com and then call 920/459-3779 to reserve tickets or for further information.