Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...Based on the fraught Congressional debate over the signing of the Declaration of Independence, "1776″ has long been considered an erudite, wise, mostly upbeat musical, especially beloved by fans of American history. But the genesis of the 2022 Broadway revival, directed by Diane Paulus and Jeffrey Page, occurred as notions of American exceptionalism were under fervent attack in the wake of the 2020 George Floyd murder and the subsequent racial reckoning. In the views of many radicalized theater artists, the questions raised by the New York Times series "The 1619 Project" had rendered the implied exceptionalism of 1776, and "1776," hollow."
Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"..."1776," on the other hand, is, let's face it, a middling and only occasionally revived musical. But the relevance of its topic - America itself - never goes away. It follows John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson as they push the Second Continental Congress to declare a new nation, leading the drafting and debating of the Declaration of Independence."
Daily Herald - Recommended
"..."1776," the 1969 musical about the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, is not a top-tier work. But the 2022 Broadway revival, a drastically re-imagined, thought-provoking production running at the CIBC Theatre, is a very good show."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended
"...1776 ,the musical, now on view at the CIBC Theatre in Chicago's Loop, is not your grandparents musical. The last time I saw 1776 was in the 1980's when I watched the 1972 film. It has been hanging out in regional theatre relative obscurity for years, at last getting a Broadway revival in 1997. Watching it now, I am in wonderment at how this Edwards/Stone Tony Award winner became the darling of Broadway in 1969. But sometimes you don't see the subversion if its delivered with snappy lyrics and great dancing."
Let's Play Theatrical Reviews - Recommended
"...1776 will generate a lot of buzz for its unique and diverse cast, which will undoubtedly reach and inspire a younger audience with its all-female cast. But in a world where we are still divided, the facts of history are more important than entertainment."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...History has a way of repeating itself. Or so they say! I do not know who "they" might be, but Broadway In Chicago now has a very historical production on the stage at its CBIC Theater. The play is "1776 The Musical" and it takes us back to that time, almost 250 years ago as the 13 Colonies discuss the proposal of John Adams to declare independence from England. It has been a long time since I have seen a production of this musical. FYI- this is not the first musical to attempt to tell this story."
Chicago Theatre Review - Recommended
"...There are good reasons to see this National Tour. For devotees of the show and newcomers alike, especially younger, female audiences, the script and music, with its bright lyrics, are equally clever and fun. Some songs may even move you to tears. And the cast is quite excellent, especially Gisela Adisa. But for the purist, the theatergoer who remembers this musical and loves it the way it was originally written and performed, this could be a production that will require an open mind. This new, contemporary revival of the Tony Award-winning musical offers are some hits and some misses, but the overall effect of Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone's magnificent libretto remains powerful. It still demonstrates why the show stands tall today, along with "Hamilton," as one of Broadway's finest attempts to breathe life into our history."
Buzznews.net - Highly Recommended
"...It’s hard to imagine a musical about the inception of the Declaration of Independence being interesting. It’s even harder to imagine that it can still be interesting in the shadow of arguably the most beloved American history musical, ‘Hamilton’, but the new production of ‘1776’ is more than just interesting, it’s a whole lot of fun. ‘1776’ begins its North American tour in Chicago at the CIBC Theatre."
The Fourth Walsh - Highly Recommended
"..."1776" is a perfect political reflection for 2023! In this divided country, it's important to remember, understand, learn from and do better than our origin story. "1776" puts our past under the spotlight and provokes us to change our present to support the future. After seeing this show, there should be no question that our Congress would work more effectively with diverse membership, bad ass leadership, and singing through disagreements to find compromise."
Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Recommended
"...In sum, like America itself, this 1776 is a worthy experiment, a notion that can only be built upon and improved, as, undoubtedly, future productions adopt what works."
Chicago On Stage - Highly Recommended
"...This week's Chicago opening of the national touring company version of the show, however, serves as potent evidence of that old maxim that you should always "try, try again." This version of the show, still directed by Diane Paulus and Jeffrey L. Page, has managed to find the raison d'etre that, according to some reviewers, was simply missing in New York. It turns out that it isn't enough to simply cast women in male roles in order to comment substantially on the story of the Declaration of Independence; you also have to allow them to continue being women at the same time."
Picture This Post - Highly Recommended
"...Who is a patriot and who is a traitor is certainly determined by winners, losers and the historians who record it all. But when it comes to 1776, theatergoers may determine that its creative liberties meld into another form of liberty – a single ring that delivers a dozen entertaining messages."