We hold these truths to be self-evident

a brief reflection and a much needed pause

Sunday afternoon, I attended a performance of the musical 1776 - a brilliant piece by Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone that humanizes the signers of the Declaration of Independence, and includes original language from the letters and records of the time. First produced on Broadway in 1969 and made into a film in 1972, this musical has been a staple in my house since then, including the annual watching on July 4th in my family’s various households. So to say I know this show is probably an understatement. My family could probably perform every song and word of dialogue without so much as a hint of script.

And I have long thought this show needed to be recast with people who are not dudes.

I clearly wasn’t the only one.

Directors Jeffrey Page and Diane Paulus brought this story to life “in this 21st-century production by a company of artists who reflect multiple representations of race, ethnicity, and gender, and who identify as female, trans, nonbinary, and gender nonconforming. The words and symbols of our cultural memory take on very different meanings through the act of reframing this musical in the context of America today. By intentionally shifting our gaze, we simultaneously see not only what was, but also what can be.” (from their note in the program)

I knew it would be great to hear the songs in possibly different keys - to see more than two female bodies on stage (Abigail Adams and Martha Jefferson are typically the only two).

I did not know how powerful it would be to hear the familiar words - not just of the show but of the Declaration itself - spoken and sung by people who are not white dudes.

I wept through most of the show. Sure, there were a couple of choices I was surprised about (mostly the modernization of the music here and there), but there were so so many choices that were incredibly striking:

• “Mama, Look Sharp” is traditionally performed with just two people on stage - a messenger and the custodian of the Congress. In this production, singers in shadow lend their voices, and a black woman weeps as the performers sing of losing young men in the village green.
  
  Yeah.
  

• “Is Anybody There?” is John Adams closing soliloquy, wondering if the fight is lost before it’s begun, naming the dream (from one of his letters): “I see fireworks; I see the pageant, the pomp, and parade; I hear the bells ringing out; I hear the cannons roar; I see Americans - all Americans - free forevermore.”
  
  First - Adams in this production was played by BIPOC actor Gisela Adisa. Her interpretation had such power and might all the way through, but this was a tour de force of flipping the script on one man’s longing, into the struggle for freedom that continues to this day.
  
  Second - while this is typically performed with just Adams on stage, the messenger, played by Native American actor Brooke Simpson of the Haliwa-Saponi tribe) was present the whole time. All Americans indeed.

I could go on and on - the script remained the same, but the meaning deepened. I loved watching the romances (the Adams and the Jeffersons) being played with deep affection and attraction by women. I loved the female bodies, the non-binary bodies, the fat bodies, the black and white and brown bodies - all taking on these words and finding the humor, the joy, and the deep meaning of what that Declaration really says (and doesn’t say) - and how they play out today.

In the midst of all the horrors and hate coming at us from the halls of government - this production reminded me of why I do love America and believe in the dream still. We have work to do. Lots of work to do. But I believe it’s worth it.

---

And with this, I am declaring a much needed pause. I have a lot to say still about all the things that happened at General Assembly and continue happening in our congregations and our faith. But I am preparing for and then attending SUUSI (the Southeast UU Summer Institute). As the Nurture Staff director, I have responsibilities for pastoral care, chaplains, and ten worship services - and it’s crunch time.

So there will be no Hold My Chalice for the next three weeks (prep/SUUSI/rest) - but I’ll be back with Lots Of Opinions on August 1st.

See you then!