Greater Worcester Opera Brings “1776” to Central Massachusetts

Discover Central Mass Highlights Greater Worcester Opera’s Production of “1776”

“When you’re in the room with people, there’s a different kind of energy that you can’t capture on anything else. So go and see live theater.” — Elaine Crane

By-Hank Stolz

Graphic – Kill the Ball Media

Worcester, MA-The latest episode of the Discover Central Mass podcast featured a conversation about local arts, history, and live performance as Greater Worcester Opera prepares to stage the musical “1776” during the statewide Massachusetts 250 celebrations.

Hosted by Hank Stolz, the interview included Tim Power from Discover Central Mass, Elaine Crane, Executive Director of Greater Worcester Opera, and actor John Leslie, who portrays Benjamin Franklin in the production.

The conversation began with Power highlighting upcoming events throughout Central Massachusetts connected to the Mass 250 initiative before turning to Greater Worcester Opera’s ambitious production of “1776,” a musical centered on the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Crane explained that the production aligns naturally with the statewide anniversary celebration while also fitting the company’s mission of presenting works that demand strong vocal performance.

“The American expression of opera has really turned more to musical theater,” Crane said. “So, there’s a connection there and we have done a few musicals that really need big, trained, well-developed voices and that kind of singing.”

A Challenging Production to Cast

One reason “1776” is not staged frequently in the region is the sheer difficulty of assembling the cast. The production includes 22 male roles, requiring a deep bench of experienced performers capable of handling both dramatic and vocal demands.

Crane credited the strong regional theater community for making the production possible.

Actor John Leslie described the rehearsal process as highly professional and praised the caliber of talent involved in the show.

“Many of the actors in this production of 1776 could certainly have careers as professional actors or singers or both,” Leslie said. “Wonderful voices, as I mentioned, a lot of experience.”

Leslie also discussed portraying Benjamin Franklin and the challenge of bringing historical figures to life while maintaining the musical’s balance of humor, personality, and historical significance.

Celebrating Live Theater in Central Massachusetts

The interview concluded with a broader conversation about the strength of the local arts scene and the enduring appeal of live theater in an increasingly digital world.

Crane emphasized that live performance creates a shared emotional experience that cannot be replicated through streaming or recorded entertainment.

“When you’re in the room with people, there’s a different kind of energy that you can’t capture on anything else,” Crane said. “So go and see live theater.”

The production of “1776” serves not only as entertainment, but also as part of a broader effort to connect local audiences with history, performance, and community during the Mass 250 celebrations taking place across Massachusetts.