The Ford’s Theatre Society recently announced that the Tony Award-winning musical “1776,” directed by Peter Flynn, has surpassed revenue records to become the highest grossing theatrical production since the historic theatre reopened as a working playhouse in 1968. But due to previous commitments by the actors and Ford’s Theatre, “1776” must close tonight, May 19, 2012.

With quick-witted dialogue and a playful score, “1776” dramatizes the impassioned debates of Philadelphia’s Second Continental Congress and the writing of the Declaration of Independence. “1776” features Brooks Ashmanskas as John Adams (Broadway’s “Promises, Promises”; “The Producers”; “Martin Short- Fame Becomes Me,” others); Christopher Bloch (Ford’s “Parade,” “Liberty Smith,” “A Christmas Carol,” others) as Benjamin Franklin; Robert Cuccioli as John Dickinson (Broadway’s “Les Misérables,” “Jekyll & Hyde”); William Diggle as Thomas Jefferson and Floyd King as Stephen Hopkins, among others.

“At Ford’s, we strive to bring American experiences to life through the intersection of history and theatre, and it has been a joy to see Washingtonians and visitors alike responding with such enthusiasm at each performance of ‘1776’ this spring,” said Ford’s Theatre Director Paul R. Tetreault. 

(via Washington D.C.’s Ford’s Theatre Closes 1776 Tonight, 5/19)