A man in a bright blue and red coat stands next to a a woman in a floral dress and points. Behind them an American flag with 13 stars hangs. To their left and right groups of people in 18th century clothing sing.

The cast of the Ford’s Theatre world premiere musical Liberty Smith (2011). Photo by T. Charles Erickson.

Liberty Smith

March 23, 2011 — May 21, 2011

Ford’s Theatre presents the world premiere of Liberty Smith, a madcap musical romp through Revolutionary America. A childhood friend of George Washington, apprentice to Benjamin Franklin and linked to Paul Revere’s remarkable ride, the elusive Liberty Smith weaves his way through familiar tales of a young nation. Rife with melody and blazing with adventure, Liberty Smith recalls the lush heyday of the American musical. Experience the birth of America through the eyes of our forgotten founding father: Liberty Smith.

Artistic Team

Book by Marc Madnick, Eric R. Cohen and Adam Abraham

Based on an Original Story by Marc Madnick and Eric R. Cohen

Director Matt August

Music Michael Weiner

Lyrics Adam Abraham

Choreographer Denis Jones

Music Direction Jay Crowder

Scenic Design Court Watson

Costume Design Wade Laboissonniere

Lighting Design Philip S. Rosenberg

Sound Design David Budries

Wig and Make-Up Design Cookie Jordan

Orchestrator Alan Lee Silva

Vocal Arrangements Alan Zachary

Fight Choreography Brad Waller

Production Stage Manager Craig A. Horness

Assistant Stage Manager Taryn Friend

New York Casting Jim Carnahan, C.S.A.

Cast

Noah Chiet

Child Actor

Brendan DeBonis

Child Actor

Thomas Adrian Simpson

Lead Player/King Louis XVI

Tracy Lynn Olivera

Actress

Stephen F. Schmidt

Old Liberty Smith

Geoff Packard

Liberty Smith

Gregory Maheu

George Washington

Lauren Williams

Martha Dandridge

Harry A. Winter

Augustine Washington/Governor Hutchinson

Kelly Karbacz

Emily Andrews

Donna Migliaccio

Betsy Ross

Christopher Bloch

Benjamin Franklin

Michael Bunce

Town-Criers

James Konicek

Benedict Arnold

Richard Pelzman

Paul Revere

Matthew A. Anderson

Samuel Adams

Bobby Smith

James Otis/Thomas Jefferson

Gia Mora

Rachel Revere/Marie Antoinette

Carolyn Agan

Understudy

Musicians

Keyboard I/Conductor Jay Crowder

Keyboard II Jenny Cartney

Violin I Bruno Nasta

Violin II Cristina Constantinescu

Woodwind I Lee Lachman/George Hummel

Woodwind II Keith Daudelin

Bass Dan Hall

Percussion Danny Villanueva

From the Gallery

A woman in a white dress with floral patterns holds up an American flag with thirteen stars. Two similarly dressed women sit next to her and applaud. An actor portraying Benjamin Franklin stands and claps as well.

Lauren Williams as Martha Washington, Kelly Karbacz as Emily Andrews, Donna Migliaccio as Betsy Ross and Christopher Bloch as Benjamin Franklin in the Ford’s Theatre world premiere musical Liberty Smith, directed by Matt August. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.

A man and woman in gaudy 18th century clothes kneel on a stage and press their ring fingers and thumbs together with their right hands. Behind them a man in a long blue robe decorated with fleur-de-lis with a crown on his head and a woman in a broad red hoop dress watch them.

A man in a bright blue and red jacket and an admiral's cap stands with his hands held out to his sides. A young boy, two men and a middle-aged woman, all in 18th century dress, watch him. A backdrop shows a drawing of a plantation.

Thomas Adrian Simpson, Drew Eshelman as Old Liberty Smith, Noah Chiet, Tracy Lynn Olivera and Michael Bunce in the Ford’s Theatre world premiere musical Liberty Smith, directed by Matt August. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.

A man dressed in black robes with a silver sash holds a sword and fences with a woman in a blue and white dress and a cloth hat, also holding a sword.

James Konicek as Benedict Arnold and Kelly Karbacz as Emily Andrews in the Ford’s Theatre world premiere musical Liberty Smith, directed by Matt August. Photo by T. Charles Erickson.