Congress Agrees on One Thing: The Value of ‘1776’ Benefit

WASHINGTON —  History and theater will come full circle when Robert Livingston takes to the stage tonight in a revival of the Broadway musical “1776.”

Livingston, a Louisiana Republican and chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, will portray his ancestor and namesake, Robert Livingston, a colonial delegate from New York who was one of the signatories of the Declaration of Independence. The elder Livingston later administered the oath of office to George Washington and helped negotiate the Louisiana Purchase.

Livingston sees the production as an opportunity to redeem himself from a lackluster acting debut in high school. “I had two lines, and I mixed them up,” he said.

The production’s single performance at Washington’s D.A.R. Constitution Hall brings together nine past and present members of Congress, both Republicans and Democrats, who appear alongside professional cast members in a benefit staged by the Washington Symphony Orchestra.

The musical, which made its debut in 1969, opens with John Adams’ observation that “one useless man is called a disgrace, two are called a law firm and three or more become a congress.”

The idea to invite the nation’s lawmakers to act in the production was developed by the orchestra’s artistic director, Martin Piecuch. “We knew it was a hit idea when the program was presented to the board,” said Charlotte Woods, the orchestra’s executive director. “It just grew from there.” Tickets have sold out, Woods said, and “many have suggested we make this an annual event.”

Livingston has had 14 years to polish his theatrical skills on the floor of the House of Representatives, and the practice appears to have paid off. Other cast members credit him with one of the best singing voices in the production.

Livingston himself assesses his talent somewhat differently. “I’m just loud,” he said during a break in rehearsals.

Sen. Fred Thompson (R-Tenn.), whose previous acting credits include the films “In the Line of Fire,” “Die Hard II” and “Hunt for Red October,” plays John Hancock, president of the Continental Congress and the first signer of the declaration.

Sen. Dan Coats (R-Ind.) plays Joseph Hewes, signatory from North Carolina. “This has been the greatest experience of my life,” Coats said. “It is so totally different from my day job.”

Former House Speaker Tom Foley makes a special appearance as Dr. Josiah Bartlett, delegate and former governor of New Hampshire. “It is also my first venture on the stage since high school,” said Foley, who now holds forth at a Washington law firm. “I am really enjoying it, and I am very impressed by this company. It’s great to be a part of it.”

Also participating in the production are Rep. Robert Walker (R-Penn.), who plays the Rev. John Witherspoon of New Jersey; Rep. John Tanner (D-Tenn.) as Rhode Island’s Stephen Hopkins; and Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) as Maryland’s delegate and future Supreme Court Justice Samuel Chase. Rep. Bob Clement (D-Tenn.) stars as Dr. Lyman Hall, delegate from Georgia, and former Rep. Guy Vander Jagt (R-Mich.) plays Delaware delegate Col. Thomas McKean.

The protocol and respect of the congressional halls don’t exist here; during a recent run-through of a scene where the lawmakers dance a minuet while singing “Cool, Cool Considerate Men,” the conductor repeatedly bellowed commands: “You have to keep it together!” and “No relaxing until you’re offstage!”

Among the challenges facing executive producer Arlene Herson and director Robert Brenner, who also plays the lead role of John Adams, has been bringing the ensemble together for rehearsals, which have been going on every Tuesday night since December. But for those who wonder why a member of Congress would commit so much time for the fleeting fame of performing, Clements offers one explanation:

“Politics is a very uncertain life,” Clement said. “You need to explore new possibilities.”