Somebody had to do it. How could you not write a musical about the birth of our nation and the founding fathers and mothers who parented it into being? Especially given such colorful characters like Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson.

For its summer production, Camelot Theatre Company will present "1776," the musical re-telling of those heady days. The play, with music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards and book by Peter Stone, won the 1969 Tony Award for Best Musical. Camelot Theatre Company artistic director Livia Genise will direct the show which opens Friday, June 23.

Most of us recall the story of what happened back in the early days of what would become the United States. Few of us, however, have much of a clear picture about the men and women who made it all happen. What were they like when they weren't busy making history?

"1776" has been called an unconventional Broadway hit. But the show's credentials are solid. Composer Edwards was a former history teacher and graduate of both NYU and Cornell. He received a New York Drama Critics' Award and two Tony Awards for "1776." He was also the composer of such hits as "Wonderful, Wonderful" and "See You in September." Edwards spent 10 years writing the lyrics for "1776," often using words taken from the letters of Adams, Franklin, Jefferson and Hancock.

Book author Stone was a graduate of Bard College with a master's degree from Yale. He wrote for theater, television and movies. His writing credits include such musicals as "The Will Rogers Follies" and "Titanic." Stone's television credits include "Studio One" and "The Defenders" and his film credits include "Charade," and"The Taking of Pelham One Two Three."

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Edwards and Stone have put a human face on the pages of history. "1776" follows Adams of Massachusetts, Franklin of Pennsylvania, Jefferson and Richard Henry Lee of Virginia as they try to win independence for the American colonies from Britain. The play focuses on the efforts to convince members of the second Continental Congress to sign the Declaration of Independence.

Camelot's production of "1776" has musical direction by Megan Iverson and CTC's resident musical director and accompanist Jennifer Schloming. Choreography is by Assistant Director Priscilla Quinby.

"1776" stars David Gabriel as Adams, Laura Derocher as Abigail Adams, Paul R. Jones as Benjamin Franklin, Bob Miner as Edward Rutledge, Jonathan Whalen as Jefferson and Merrill Smith as John Dickinson. At CTC, Gabriel has starred in "The Sisters Rosensweig," "It Takes Two" and "Children of Eden." He recently worked with the Children's Musical Theater of Ashland as a vocal and drama coach.

Derocher has starred at CTC in "Children of Eden," "It Takes Two" and "The Sisters Rosensweig."

A retired college theatre arts professor, Jones has more than 100 acting roles to his credit. At CTC he has played in "Camelot," "Judgment at Nuremberg" and directed "The Heidi Chronicles."

Miner appeared at CTC in "A Little Night Music." At Oregon Cabaret Theatre he performed in "Pump Boys and Dinettes" and "Guys On Ice."

Whalen studied theatre arts at Southern Oregon University, starring in such productions as "The Love Course," and "Lips Together Teeth Apart." He appeared in The Barnstormers Little Theatre production of "Bus Stop." This is Whalen's second show with CTC, having appeared in last season's "Judgment at Nuremberg."

Smith has been in numerous productions, and appeared at Oregon Stage Works in "The Crucible" and "The Boy Who Talked to Whales."

Drummer Chris Matthews sharing with Steve Sutfin, trombonist Aaron Moffatt, violinist Tyler Newman and keyboardist Jane Manning sharing with Schloming comprise the pit orchestra. The production team for "1776" includes Camelot's resident designers: costumer Emily Ehrlich Inget; set designer, properties master and master carpenter Don Zastoupil; lighting designer Bart Grady and sound designer Charles Cherry.