Darryl Maximilian Robinson Remembers The Great William Daniels As John Adams In '1776'

Thursday, July 04, 2024 - 9:00 AM
to Thursday, July 18, 2024 - 1:00 PM

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Remembering The Great And Highly Regarded Mr. William Daniels As John Adams In '1776.'

Theatre Lovers And Supporters,

The History of our nation is very Important, including American Theatre History. In 1969, the versatile and skilled actor William Daniels became the first thespian on Broadway to decline a Tony Award nomination.

William Daniels had given a performance which was considered by many critics as one of the best of the season when he created the leading role of "the obnoxious and disliked" yet highly determined John Adams in the rousing and patriotic musical "1776," a Broadway hit with book by Peter Stone and music and lyrics by passionate American History Buff Sherman Edwards which would capture 5 Tony Awards including Best Musical of the Year ( defeating the popular tribal rock musical "Hair" ).

William Daniels had received a 1969 Tony Award nomination for Best Featured ( or Supporting ) Actor In A Musical for his acclaimed portrayal of John Adams in "1776" mainly due to the fact that his name was not billed above the title of the show. Because he felt it slighted his professional standing ( and John Adams is definitely the starring role in "1776" ), Mr. Daniels said "No Thank You" to The American Theatre Wing.

William Daniels' skilled co-star Ronald Holgate would go on to win the 1969 Tony Award for Best Featured Actor In A Musical for his high-spirited performance as Richard Henry Lee in "1776."

A previous Obie Award Winner and future multiple Emmy Award Winner ( in 1985 and 1986 for Best Lead Actor In Drama Series for his role as a physician on NBC's acclaimed "St. Elsewhere" ), William Daniels would never be nominated for a Tony Award again during the many decades of his successful career as a stage, screen and television actor.

But moments of William Daniels' portrayal of John Adams in the original stage production of "1776" have been preserved in a 1970 television appearance on the popular "Ed Sullivan Show." Mr. Daniels is joined in musical numbers and a dramatic segment by some noted fellow cast members including future two-time Tony Award Winner John Cullum as Edward Rutledge and Roy Poole as Stephen Hopkins.

Enjoy. And Happy 4th of July.