1776
America’s Prize Winning Musical
Music and Lyrics by SHERMAN EDWARDS
Book by PETER STONE
Based on a concept by SHERMAN EDWARDS
Original Production Directed by PETER HUNT
Originally Produced on the Broadway Stage by STUART OSTROW
Experience the birth of a nation like never before in 1776 the Musical, a bold and witty retelling of America’s fight for independence. As tensions rise in the Second Continental Congress, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin struggle to persuade a divided nation to declare freedom from British rule. With a Tony Award-winning score and a fresh, thought-provoking perspective, this powerful production brings history to life with humor, heart, and relevance for today. Thalian Association Community Theatre is proud to co-produce 1776 the Musical with Thalian Hall to celebrate America 250!
Don’t miss this rousing journey to the signing of the Declaration of Independence!
Join us for the opening night preshow reception in the ballroom at 6:00 pm – tickets available now!
CONTACT:
Susan Habas, Executive Director
Thalian Association Community Theatre
910-251-1788 shabas@thalian.org |
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1776 The Musical celebrates America 250; A production by Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts & Thalian Association Community Theatre
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| WILMINGTON, NC – In a powerful celebration of history, artistry, and collaboration, Thalian Association Community Theatre and Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts proudly announce their co-production of the Tony Award-winning musical 1776, with performances scheduled for March 13–15, 2026, at the historic Thalian Hall Main Stage. |
| Presented as a commemorative tribute to America 250—the national celebration of the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence—this dynamic production will offer audiences a fresh and poignant look at the birth of the nation through the lens of groundbreaking musical theatre. |
| “We are delighted to partner with one of our prized resident theatre companies, Thalian Association Community Theatre,” said Shane Fernando, CEO of Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts. “We are thrilled to bring together the region’s top theatrical talent to honor a pivotal moment in American history, and to do so on a stage that has stood witness to more than 160 years of our country’s cultural journey.” |
| Thalian Association Community Theatre, a nonprofit community theatre company in Wilmington and the Official Community Theatre of North Carolina, shares the vision of celebrating the nation’s founding through powerful storytelling and inclusive casting. |
| “This is more than a musical—it’s a tribute to the ideals, struggles, and contradictions at the heart of our nation’s founding,” said Susan Habas, Executive Director of Thalian Association. “As we approach the America 250 milestone, 1776 invites us to reflect on where we’ve come from and where we are headed.” |
| Featuring a score by Sherman Edwards and a book by Peter Stone, 1776 brings to life the drama, wit, and humanity of the Second Continental Congress as they wrestle with the monumental decision to declare independence from Great Britain. The show’s themes of courage, conflict, and compromise remain strikingly relevant today. |
| This production is funded by The Thomas S. Kenan Foundation Inc. |
About Thalian Hall
| Thalian Hall, est. 1858, is one of America’s most prized historic theatres and the only surviving theatre designed by the lauded 19th century architect, John Montague Trimble. Designated as the #1 historic theatre in the nation by Architectural Digest, Thalian Hall’s ornate theatre is proud to be the crown jewel of the Carolina coast. The historic structure also houses city hall making it the cultural and political center of Wilmington, NC spanning three centuries. |
| Famous faces that appeared on the main stage include Oscar Wilde, Frederick Douglass, Joseph Jefferson, Marian Anderson, Lillian Russell and Dizzy Gillespie. Everyone from the Ziegfield Follies to Buffalo Bill’s “Wild West” show with live horses have played the hall. Presently, bustling Thalian Hall hosts over 700 events per year including the Main Attractions Series, world-class touring artists, and is the home of many local robust theatre, music, dance, and film organizations raising top talent of the American South. With a commitment to presenting world-class performances, Thalian Hall continues to enrich the region with diverse programming that celebrates the performing arts. |
| About Thalian Association |
| Established in 1788, Thalian Association Community Theatre is a non-profit membership organization dedicated to enhancing the Cape Fear region through live community theatre and arts education. Thalian Association Community Theatre produces five major productions annually on the Main Stage at historic Thalian Hall and manages the Hannah Block Historic USO/Community Arts Center for the City of Wilmington. The youth theatre program offers training and performance opportunities for children aged seven through high school seniors. In 2007, Thalian Association Community Theatre was designated North Carolina’s Official Community Theater by the state legislature. For more information, go to www.thalian.org. |
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