Chicago Tribune - Recommended
"...But the show, which has never left the repertoire in the 55 years since its creation, also derives narrative tension from the question as to whether Congress will get enough agreement, and be willing to make sufficient internal compromises, to actually get this job of birthing America done."
Chicago Sun Times - Highly Recommended
"...Director Nick Bowling has crafted a story defined by a rich, sprawling ensemble that renders the laborious, contentious and painstaking work of the Second Continental Congress into a series of political cliffhangers."
Daily Herald - Recommended
"...Like Roundabout Theatre Company’s provocative 2022 Broadway revival whose racially diverse cast consisted entirely of female-identifying, trans, nonbinary and gender nonconforming performers, Marriott’s production aims to reflect the multicultural state of our union in the 21st century. To that end, Bowling assembled a racially diverse ensemble that also features women in roles traditionally played by men."
Chicago Reader - Highly Recommended
"...To be sure two-plus hours can, in a weak production, seem long for such a short story, even with Edwards's wonderful tunes. However, in reviving the show, the folks at Marriott Theatre have put together a tight, spritely paced, exceptionally well-acted production that capitalizes on everything that makes this show strong and gracefully underplays its greatest weakness (that is, a show almost entirely about white patriarchs establishing a new patriarchy) by extensive gender- and color-blind casting, a choice that, much like Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton, presages our much more democratic democracy than the one John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, and others were forging."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...Under the clever direction of Nick Bowling, who has done many great shows on this in-the-round-theatre, all sides get to witness the story as it unfolds. While we know that the incidents are not specific, we can feel comfortable that this is how it could have gone down and with this amazing cast of players, under Bowling’s direction, this show truly works."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...The result is an exciting, inclusive production filled with talented triple-threats that offers a modern retelling of our country’s history. With gorgeous costumes and wigs by Theresa Ham and Miguel A. Armstrong, fine choreography by Tanji Harper, beautiful lighting effects by Jesse Klug, exceptional Musical Direction courtesy of Ryan T. Nelson, and a full-sounding pit orchestra conducted by Brad Haak, the cast is fully supported with plenty of skill and precision. Mr. Bowling’s stunning, heart-stirring version of this Tony-winning musical supports why 1776 remains one of Broadway’s greatest attempts to make history come alive."
Chicagoland Musical Theatre - Highly Recommended
"...What Lin-Manuel Miranda did for the U.S. Constitution, director extraordinaire Nick Bowling does for the Declaration of Independence in Marriott Theatre’s exquisitely modern-ish turn on the old-school-ish 1776."
Chicago Theater and Arts - Highly Recommended
"...It’s brilliant. Audiences might wonder what there is to say about the Declaration of Independence, a document whose wording we presumably learned in elementary school. But under Nick Bowling’s direction the scene comes alive with terrific acting by a well-chosen cast and Tanji Harper’s choreography."
Chicago On Stage - Highly Recommended
"...Above all, 1776 reminds us there have always been brave souls among us throughout our nation’s history who have kept their eyes on the prize and risen up in the face of ignorance and hatred, even when the outlook was bleak and the future seemed uncertain."
PicksInSix - Highly Recommended
"...The inspiring production of “1776” that opened Wednesday at the Marriott Theatre brought a few familiar thoughts to mind about our young and exuberant country. Democracy is messy. The more things change, the more they stay the same. And a line from one of Sherman Edwards’ songs: “To think that here we are.”"
Splash Magazine - Highly Recommended
"...A fresh new interpretation of our country’s fight for independence awaits you at the Marriott Theatre’s production of the 1969 Broadway musical, “1776.” While the founding fathers were all white men, this production uses women, people of color, and other races in the roles to effectively impact the story."
NewCity Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...I should say something up front: I love “1776.” I was obsessed with this play as a kid. I wore out a VHS of the 1972 film adaptation. My family watched it every Fourth of July the way many families watch “It’s a Wonderful Life” at Christmas. I found a copy of the script and read aloud with my equally nerdy friend, arguing over who would get the choice roles of John Adams or Benjamin Franklin. This makes me the kind of annoying, every-word-memorized fangirl whose standards for a revival are high, some might say unreasonably so."
