1776 at Ford’s Theatre — Reflections, Reviews & Resonance
On this 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, I find myself deeply honored to be part of telling this epic story through 1776 at Ford’s Theatre. What makes this moment even more meaningful is the reminder that storytelling knows no boundaries—that as Latine artists, we are not limited to telling only our own histories, but are fully capable of engaging, shaping, and elevating universal narratives with clarity, intelligence, and heart. This work has been about honoring history while activating it—through movement, through rhythm, through space, and through human connection. Below, I share a collection of reflections and reviews that speak not only to the production, but to the power of perspective, collaboration, and the evolving voice of who gets to tell these stories today.
Framing the Vision (Concept & Direction)
“Director Luis Salgado frames the show as a kind of living museum exhibit… ‘tourists’ gradually transform into the historical figures themselves. It's a clever conceit that pays off handsomely by the final curtain, reinforcing just how thin the membrane is between then and now.”
“It’s impossible to overlook the historic resonance that Ford’s adds to this story… Salgado situates Edwards’ tale in Ford’s adjoining history museum, where backpack and camera-laden ‘tourists’ roam the stage…”
“Credit to director and choreographer Luis Salgado… for making this tonal shift effortless and deeply felt.”
Scale, Staging & Design Collaboration
“With a static set, Salgado expertly uses a massive video screen to depict the world beyond the columns of the hall.”
“Salgado has done remarkable work assembling and staging a cast this large on Ford's intimate stage. Milagros Ponce de León's set design and Clint Allen's projections open the space in ways that feel almost architectural…”
“Director Luis Salgado has pulled off some kind of miracle in handling a musical epic of this size… Somehow, it never feels claustrophobic… perhaps it’s the clever blocking that creates positive spacing and composition for the eye.”
“Ivania Stack’s costumes… allow the viewer to anchor their vision to each character without overwhelming them.”
Performance & Ensemble Power
“There is quite the ensemble in this production… And there isn’t a single weakness among them. The performances, uniformly plucky and exciting.”
“The supporting ensemble is exceptional across the board.”
“the show never runs out of ways to dollop extraordinary performances throughout its two-and-a-half hour runtime.”
“The beleaguered Adams… asks ‘Is anybody there?/Does anybody care?/Does anybody see what I see?’”
Music, Rhythm & Theatrical Language
“They build in the finale’s portent-full, jazzy score… as the delegates… rise to sign their names…”
“An explosive finale that crescendos with foreboding regret… as if to ask if signing the dang thing 250 years ago was a mistake — or… that the work may never be done.”
Cultural Impact & Representation
“This production also makes meaningful use of its diverse casting… more than ten African American and Asian American actors populate the stage…”
“It is also impossible to ignore the shadow of Abraham Lincoln… a president whose Gettysburg Address drew directly from the Declaration of Independence…”
Overall Reception / Verdict
“Ford’s Theatre’s production of 1776 is really quite spectacular.”
“Ford’s serendipitous 1776 is both a hoot and a holler… a ravishing, down-to-the-wire historical drama.”
So honored to have worked with this talented team!
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