1776: Pathway to Freedom 

Ariella Gage ’27

Design Editor

Watch out, Britain! The founding fathers have arrived, right here at Louisville High School. The all-girl cast of Louisville students left crowds in awe and amusement after their stunning performances, lasting two weekends from opening night on April 5 to the final show on April 12. 

The dedication, passion and attention to detail of the entire cast and the wonderful directors shined through every night as the audience traveled back in time to when freedom was merely an idea stirring restlessly in John Adams’s mind.

Beautifully played by Kate Ben ’26, John Adams was taken on a journey of self-discovery as he learned about commitment, compromise and courage. Ben enjoyed taking her character to heart and embracing his energetic personality and unwavering devotion to a future of independence, unyielding to the doubts of others.

“John Adams is the biggest yapper and very obnoxious and disliked, but my favorite part about playing him is finding different ways to channel that and bringing different dynamics and color to the character!” shared Ben ’26.

His wife, Abigail Adams, was gracefully portrayed by Anya Fierson ’27. Together, Fierson and Ben musically exchanged tender love letters that displayed Abigail’s intelligence and steadfast love for John, giving him strength in the most discouraging times.

Elyse Ramirez ’27 delivered an absolutely hilarious and impactful performance as Benjamin Franklin. Isabelle Matthews ’25 and Emely de Grano ’25 played Thomas and Martha Jefferson, adding warmth to the show with their endearing and passionate romance.

Elle Calle ’25 played President of the congress, John Hancock, bringing order to the congress and organizing ideas with the help of Secretary Charles Thomson (Jordan Vaughn ’25).

The musical featured delegates from each of the thirteen colonies, providing outstanding performances throughout the show. Each actress did an exceptional job of portraying the unique perspectives and personalities of representatives from each colony. 

Elle Blount ’27 represented Pennsylvania as John Dickinson, who hilariously refused to agree to an independent America and ultimately found himself betrayed by James Wilson, played by Gemma Greco ’27.

Another notable delegate was Lewis Morris, played by Brielle Iaccino ’27, who made sure the whole congress knew that New York “abstained…courteously” on every vote. Sophia Tejwani ’27 wowed the audience in her role as Colonel Thomas McKean, representing Delaware alongside Caesar Rodney (Samantha Crossley ’28) and George Read (Camila Alvarez-Cueva ’27).

“I really loved working with things outside of my existing knowledge. The biggest thing for me has been mastering my Scottish accent, something that I had no prior understanding of. I found this newness to be challenging but so rewarding,” Tejwani ’27 reflected.

From the intricate lighting and set design to the gorgeous music and choreography that provided an immersive experience, this year’s spring musical was unforgettable. Of course, none of it would have been possible without the dedication of director Ms. Powell, set and costume designer Mr. Dan, musical director Mr. Smith and the entire tech crew who worked tirelessly behind the scenes. 

The talent of Louisville Theater is enough to spark a revolution!