Now Showing

1776

July 17-19*, 2026 (Fri, Sat, Sun*)
July 23-26*, 2026 (Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun*)
Grand Opera House, Pierre, SD

Doors Open at 7 p.m., Performance at 7:30 p.m.
*Sunday Matinee Doors Open at 1:30 p.m., Performance at 2 p.m. 

Box Office Opens: July 6, 2026
Learn about purchasing tickets. 

Pay-What-You-Can Performance: July 14, 2026, 7:30 p.m.
Suggested Ticket Price: $5 minimum at the door

Musical: music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and book by Peter Stone
Director: Jay Mickelson

Auditions: Pierre Players will hold a singalong for "1776" on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, May 11-13, 2026, at 7 p.m. at the Grand Opera House in Pierre. Auditions will be held on Monday and Tuesday, May 18-19, 2026, at 7 p.m., with callbacks on Wednesday, May 20, 2026. There are roles for 11 men, 2 women plus an ensemble, or play a role behind the scenes. For more information, contact Director Jay Mickelson at 605-295-1182.

Synopsis: The seminal event in American history blazes to vivid life in this most unconventional of Broadway hits. “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 a fledgling nation. It's the summer of 1776, and the nation is ready to declare independence... if only our founding fathers can agree to do it! “1776” follows 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 from the shackles of the British monarchy by signing the Declaration of Independence. “1776” is a funny, insightful and compelling drama with a striking score and legendary book.

Cast List:

The Continental Congress
President
John Hancock: Gunner Nordvold

New Hampshire
Dr. Josiah Bartlett: Andrea Fosheim

Massachusetts
John Adams: Tyson Nafus

Rhode Island
Stephen Hopkins: Casey Klungseth

Connecticut
Roger Sherman: Bill McDonald

New York 
Robert Livingston: George Seaman
Lewis Morris: TBA

New Jersey
Rev. John Witherspoon: Blake Tostenson

Pennsylvania 
Ben Franklin: Trent Deyo
John Dickinson: Drew Nafus
James Wilson: Mark Hiatt

Delaware
Caesar Rodney: Conner Lehr
Colonel Thomas McKean: Brian Oakland
George Read: TBA

Maryland
Samuel Chase: Adem Ballew

Virginia
Thomas Jefferson: Nickolas Johnson
Richard Henry Lee: Scott Lee

North Carolina
Joseph Hewes: TBA

South Carolina
Edward Rutledge: Jacob Carlson

Georgia
Dr. Lyman Hall: Jack Mortenson

Abigail Adams: Grace Schumacher
Martha Jefferson: Haley Hobbie
Secretary Charles Thomson: Marcus Seaman
Custodian Andrew McNair: Jared Anderson
A Leather Apron/Painter: Jason Garrett
A Courier: Jack Garrett