1776: The Musical — A Summer Celebration 250 Years in the Making

About 1776: The Musical

The events of the summer of 1776 led to the formation of our country based on innovative principles in a never before achieved process of discussion and compromise. The Declaration of Independence was brilliantly written by Thomas Jefferson, a member of the Continental Congress, and signed on July 4. Today, a new generation of citizens graduates each spring from high schools across the nation, and a 2025 Cato Institute poll revealed that 53% of Americans do not know why our Founders declared Independence at all.

This summer, Philadelphia School District and surrounding area high school students celebrate America’s 250th birthday by bringing these historic actions of our founding fathers to life in an unusual way. Students perform in 1776: The Musical, the Tony award-winning Broadway musical and popular film originally written and presented in 1969-1970. The production will bring the actions of our founding fathers to life for both these students and their audiences through the summer.

We invite you to join us this summer as our remarkable young performers help bring this story to life for audiences across the region.

Governor Ed Rendell

Chair & Concept Creator

Phillip Brown

Executive Producer & Director

Jay Fluellen

Music Director