Family connections run deep in Richmond Civic Theatre’s third performance of “1776: The Musical.”
RCT opens its season Thursday, Aug. 6, with a show about the behind-the-scenes struggles that U.S. Founding Fathers faced in developing the new nation. The 250th anniversary of that accomplishment is being celebrated in 2026.
RCT previously performed the musical in the 1972-73 and 1996-97 seasons, and at least one actor has links to those casts.
Show director Becky Jewison said that Jaci Bartlemay, who plays Abigail Adams in the current production, follows in the footsteps of her grandmother, Joyce Eilar, who was Abigail in 1972-73. In addition, Jaci’s father, David Bartlemay, played Richard Henry Lee in 1996-97.
There are at least two more father-child connections as Dr. David Jetmore returns to the stage as Stephen Hopkins, and his daughter, Kate Jetmore, begins her tenure as RCT’s new executive director. Mike Day and son Brady are acting, and Brady’s wife, Emma, plays oboe in the orchestra.
While “1776” is one of the area’s exciting events to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence, Kate Jetmore said RCT’s contribution to the celebration is unique.
“What sets this show apart is that it highlights the process, debate and discussion that preceded that landmark moment,” she said. “It is a reminder that independence didn’t just magically happen. It was the result of the kind of civic engagement that is the bedrock of our country.”
Jewison sees no better time than now, the country’s 250th anniversary, to bring the unconventional Broadway hit to the stage, citing how it highlights the real people — “proud, uncertain, irritable, funny and ultimately noble” — behind the legend.
“With sharp wit, a powerful score and timeless relevance, 1776 reminds us that history was made not by perfect heroes, but by passionate individuals determined to do what they thought was right for a new nation,” said Jewison.
Some of those imperfect heroes depicted are John Adams, Ben Franklin and Thomas Jefferson, portrayed by Andrew Triana, Mike Day and Dustin Summan, respectively.
Witness history’s retelling through Aug. 16, with tickets available at gorct.org.
Production Team: Director Becky Jewison; Music Director Mindy Deckard; Assistant Directors Shelley Wambo and Kim Dearing; Choreographers Regina Branagin and Traci McCollum; Production Assistant Kari Harrington; Stage Manager Hollie Caskey; Scenic Designer Nicole Andreas; Props Supervisor Ann McLarnan; Costume Designers Becky Jewison and Phil Kaler; Hair and Make-up Supervisors: Duane Coddington and Tammy Bertsch; Lighting Designer Brennyn Bailey; Sound Designer Rick Funk; Technical Director Aaron Clarke; Historian Ryan Branagin
Cast: John Hancock — Scott McFadden; Dr. Josiah Bartlett — Andy Shepherd; John Adams — Andrew Triana; Abigail Adams — Jaci Bartlemay; Stephen Hopkins — David Jetmore; Roger Sherman — Chuck Gilbert; Lewison Morris — Robert Williams; Robert Livingston — Brady Day; Rev. John Witherspoon — Jason Troutwine; Ben Franklin — Mike Day; John Dickinson — Brett Guiley; James Wilson — Brad Shortridge; Caesar Rodney — Ruth Brown; Col. Thomas McKean — Mark Edwards; George Read — Eli Barger; Samuel Chase — Matt Socey; Richard Henry Lee — Wayne Greeson; Thomas Jefferson — Dustin Summan; Martha Jefferson — Lily Phenis; Joseph Hewes — Nancy Witt; Edward Rutledge — Braydon Hoggatt; Dr. Lyman Hall — Tony Truitt; Andrew McNair — Eric Burkhardt; Charles Thomson — Kim Dearing; Courier — Brennen Urich; Alfie — Jen Dole; Painter — Derek Summan
Crew: Deck manager Derek Summan; deck crew: Julie Jeffers, Jen Dole; fly crew lead: Ben Sexton; light board operators: Phil Baisley, Noah Homer; lighting assistant: Bobbi Cayard-Roberts; sound board operator: Rick Funk; projection media: Sajen Hernandez; hair and makeup crew: Jules Pickett, Traci McCollum; costume crew: Jewell Pyle, Kari Kinsey, Liz Stracener; costume team: Beth Van Der Burgt, Patti Dole, Liz Stracener, Kari Kinsey; props crew: Julie Jeffers; lead scenic painter Nicole Andreas; additional paint team: Aureana Andreas, Zeke Andreas, Sean Andreas, Hope Royer, Lily Royer, Sam Royer, Greta Royer, Sophie Royer, Leslie Royer, Sonnie Kendall, Winnie Kendall, Frankie Kendall, Emily Kendall, Erica Kretchman; lead carpenters: Mickey White; set build team: Josh Smith, Adrian Christie, Amy Decker, Dylan Dalby
Orchestra: Jenny Williams, Sajen Hernandez, Crystal Hernandez, Genevieve Baird, Emma Merkamp-Day, Matthew Cema, Mickey White, Evan Sanders, Madeline Mopps, Mike Mustin, Mark Moore, Pat Rogan, Randy Wisehart
A version of this article will appear in the August 5 2026 print edition of the Western Wayne News.
