As people across the state mark the 250th anniversary of the country’s independence, one Wisconsin community is celebrating a key figure in early American history with a new work of theater.

Local Play Honors John Adams

Adams, Wisconsin, a small city north of Wisconsin Dells, celebrated America’s 250th birthday with an original play about the city and county namesake — founding father John Adams. The play, ‘Abigail and John: The First Couple of the United States,’ made its debut at the refurbished movie theater along the town’s main drag in late June.

According to Adams County Historical Society President Michael Goc, who wrote the play, John Adams was the driving force behind the Declaration of Independence. His influence went far beyond 1776, and he was involved in every important political event in the revolutionary era from before 1776 and all the way up until he left the presidency in 1801.

The play includes the story of Adams’ role in the Continental Congress, his time as a diplomat in Europe, and his term as president — and how Abigail was there through it all. The play’s dialogue took place over four short acts, with songs from a local choir in between.

A Love Story and a Historical Account

For Goc, the couple personifies the best parts of American history. ‘They cared about the country, they worked hard, they worked with each other,’ he said. It’s also a love story, Goc said. ‘They stayed together for 54 years, and as John said, they were ‘like steel to magnet.’

Actor Aaron Bonnett took the stage in a tricorn hat, greeting the audience. ‘Good day, my fellow patriots, I am John Adams,’ he proclaimed. ‘You know me as the second president of the United States. I am also the namesake of your county, this city, and this theater.’ Sitting at a table downstage, he began to read.

The play was a profound experience, especially during tumultuous political times. Music director Sandra Swisher-Pheiffer said, ‘It can be easy for me to feel a little bit discouraged now, but this gets back to the importance of honor and of liberty and freedom, and how no one individual should have total power in any sense within the government, and it’s reminded me of where we started, and that’s made me feel good.’

Original reporting: Wisconsin Watch — read the source article.