Camelot Theatre Company presents the Tony Award Winning musical, “1776.”

With a great deal of humor and poignancy, “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 our fledgling nation; pledging “their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor! ”The seminal event in American history blazes to vivid life in this most unconventional of Broadway hits. It's the summer of 1776 and the nation is ready to declare independence, if only our founding fathers can agree to do it! Follow 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 and sign the Declaration of Independence. “1776” opened on Broadway in 1969 and ran for three years, capturing the coveted Tony Award for Best Musical and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical. It had its share of controversy. As dramaturge Paul Jones points out: “Due to its success, the Nixon White House requested a performance. Nixon staffers asked that two numbers be cut from the show: “Cool, Cool Conservative Men” (with lyrics ‘never to the left.... forever to the right…’’) and the number “Momma Look Sharp,” a dialogue between a dying soldier and his mother. The producers refused; the numbers were left in. When the musical went into production for the film version in 1971, Jack Warner ordered that “Cool Men,” already filmed, be cut and the print of the number be destroyed. However, it was secretly hidden in the film vault and reinserted into the 1990 laserdisc version and again in the 2001 Directors Cut.” “1776” stars David Gabriel as John Adams, Paul Jones as Benjamin Franklin, Tyler Ward as Thomas Jefferson and Don Matthews as John Dickinson. They are joined by a cast of 17 other ‘founding fathers’ and by Presila Quinby and Rose Passione sharing the role of Abigail Adams and by Kendra Taylor as Martha Jefferson. Camelot’s Artistic Director Livia Genise directs the production. Musical Direction is by Michael Wing and choreography by Audrey Flint. The orchestra for “1776” includes Haliana Alspach (Keyboards), Kathy Campbell (Keyboards), Joshua Mendoza (Trumpet), Kendra Taylor (Piccolo & Cello) and Steve Sutfin (Drums). “1776” is sponsored by Debby’s Diner in Phoenix.The production team for “1776” includes Camelot’s resident designers: properties mistress Sarah Gore, Sound and audio/video designer and live sound operator, Brian O’Connor and set designer and master carpenter Don Zastoupil. Lighting design is by Tatiana Watkins. Costume coordination is by Breena Cope with Wigs by Virginia Carol Hudson. Resident Stage Manager Taja Watkins heads up the technical team of Shelly Hall (light board operator) and Alisa Ragsdale (sound board/video operator). “1776” previews June 20 and 21, opens June 22 and runs through July 22. Reservations are definitely recommended. The Wednesday, June 20 performance is a fundraiser for the Arc of Jackson County. Regular performances are Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Camelot’s special Pay What You Can performance for the community is on Wednesday, June 27 at 8 p.m. In addition, Camelot will offer a special 4th of July Matinee of “1776” at 2 p.m. and added Monday night performances at 8:00 p.m. on July 2, 9, and 16. Tickets for the Thursday preview on June 21 are $12. All other performances are $23 for students and seniors (with the exclusion of Sunday matinees) and $25 for Adults. Reserved seating is available for $2/ticket. There is a box office fee of $4 for all orders. Student rush tickets are available for $10 ten minutes before performances, if available.

Tickets can be purchased in person or by phone at the Company Box Office (541-535-5250) or online at www.CamelotTheatre.org. Camelot is located at the corner of Talent Ave and Main St in Talent. Box Office hours are Monday through Saturday from 12-5 p.m. and two hours before performances. Learn more about this show at http://www.camelottheatre.org/2012/1776.html

BIOS

Audrey Flint ~ ChoreographerAt Camelot Audrey Flint has choreographed “Getting My Act Together…,” “Funny Girl,” “Gigi,” “Cabaret,” “Brigadoon,” “Do I hear a Waltz,” “Man of La Mancha,” “1940’s Radio Hour,” “Oliver” and “Annie.” She is currently the director of the dance and musical theatre programs at Willow Wind School in Ashland and is the choreographer for the AHS show choir. Flint has a BA in theater arts from UC Santa Cruz.

Livia Genise ~ DirectorA former Broadway actress and Camelot’s Artistic Director, Livia Genise has either directed or starred in over 50 Camelot productions, including “I’m Getting My Act Together…,” “All the King’s Men,” "Funny Girl,” “Rags,” “Gigi,” “Cabaret,” “Shenandoah, “Sockdology,” “Sweeney Todd” and “Master Class.” She was seen most recently as Mama Rose in Camelot's “Gypsy.”

Michael Wing ~ Musical DirectorMichael Wing has performed as soloist with the Rogue Valley Chorale, Southern Oregon Repertory Singers, and Rogue Opera. His Camelot debut was in “Sweeney Todd.” He has directed vocals and music for over a dozen community and school productions, including “My Fair Lady,” “Hello, Dolly!,” “Pippin,” “Crazy for You” and Camelot's “The Scarlet Pimpernel.” Wing teaches vocal music at St. Mary’s School and has adjudicated at choral festivals and clinics around the state.

David Gabriel ~ John AdamsDavid Gabriel is recreating his role of John Adams from Camelot’s 2006 production of the show. Gabriel has performed in many venues all over the Rogue Valley as both a singer and a drummer. Currently, he is appearing at BLUE-Greek on Granite.

Paul R. Jones ~ Benjamin FranklinA retired college Theatre Arts professor, Paul Jones has over 125 acting roles to his credit. Camelot roles include Judge Irwin in “All the King’s Men,” Al Lewis in “The Sunshine Boys,” Lt. Col. Markinson in “A Few Good Men,” Richard Nixon in “Frost/Nixon,” Herr Schultz in “Cabaret,” T. C. Gourley in “Sockdology,” Capt. Beatty in “Fahrenheit 451” and Ben Franklin in “1776.”

Tyler Ward ~ Thomas JeffersonThis is Tyler Ward's second show with Camelot, having appeared in “All the King’s Men” earlier this year. He attended Bowling Green State University where he studied acting and directing. Some past credits include “Macbeth” and “Titus Andronicus” for Lionface Productions, Tom from “Fat Pig,” Ebenezer Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol,” The Ugly Duckling and two separate productions of “The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).”

Don Matthews ~ John DickinsonCurrently the morning classical music host at Jefferson Public Radio, Don has appeared as Emile de Becque in “South Pacific” with Rogue Music Theatre, El Gallo in “The Fantasticks” with Oregon Stage Works. His many Camelot credits include Don Quixote in “Man of La Mancha,” Sweeney Todd in “Sweeney Todd” and Herbie in “Gypsy” with the Camelot Theatre.

Rose Passione ~ Abigail AdamsRose Passione has been performing in the Rogue Valley since 2006. After eight shows at Camelot, a few of her favorite roles include: Meg Brockie in “Brigadoon,” Rebecca Hershkowitz in “Rags” and Fanny Brice in “Funny Girl.” Passione also sings madrigals with Raiders of the Lost Art, big-band classics with Park Place Jazz, and Broadway show tunes at BLUE-Greek on Granite in Ashland.

Presila Quinby ~ Abigail AdamsPresila Quinby has been seen at Camelot in “Spotlight on Mary Martin,” “Steel Magnolias,” “Dancing at Lughnasa,” “Sockdology,” “Inherit the Wind,” “I Remember Mama,” “Always… Patsy Cline,” “Crimes of the Heart” and “Sweeney Todd.” She's appeared on Broadway, regional theater productions across the country and at the Cabaret Theater and ACT in Ashland.

Kendra Taylor ~ Martha JeffersonKendra Taylor’s roles at Camelot include Anne Stanton/Miss Dumonde in “All the King’s Men” and Johanna in “Sweeney Todd.” She has also performed with SORS, SOU Choirs and Bands, Raiders of the Lost Art, YSSO, OFAM, Sauerkrauts German Band, the State of Jefferson Sometimes Marching Band and with Rogue Opera. Taylor has a B.S. in Music Education and is currently working on her Masters in Teaching.

BRIEFWhere: Camelot Theatre, 101 Talent Ave at Main St., TalentWhat: “ 1776”When“1776” previews June 20 and 21, opens June 22 and runs through July 22. Reservations are definitely recommended. The Wednesday, June 20 performance is a fundraiser for the Arc of Jackson County. Regular performances are Thursdays thru

Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. Camelot’s special Pay What You Can performance for the community is on Wednesday, June 27 at 8 p.m. In addition, Camelot will offer a special 4th of July Matinee of “1776” at 2 p.m. and added Monday night performances at 8:00 p.m. on July 2, 9, and 16. Tickets for the Thursday preview on June 21 are $12. All other performances are $23 for students and seniors (with the exclusion of Sunday matinees) and $25 for Adults. Reserved seating is available for $2/ticket. There is a box office fee of $4 for all orders. Student rush tickets are available for $10 ten minutes before performances, if available.Outlets: Theatre Box Office (535-5250) Box Office hours are Monday through Saturday from 12 - 5 p.m. and two hours before performances. Tickets are also available online at CamelotTheatre.org.Special Performances: The Wednesday, June 20 performance is a fundraiser for the Arc of Jackson County. Camelot’s special Pay What You Can performance for the community is on Wednesday, June 27 at 8 p.m. In addition, Camelot will offer a special 4th of July Matinee of “1776” at 2 p.m. and added Monday night performances at 8:00 p.m. on July 2, 9, and 16.