Two years ago today I launched this site. The choice of date was not accidental. I am, at heart, a true patriot — the type of patriot who prizes the virtues of his nation while not forgetting that the reality does not always live up to the ideal. A couple of days later, on the 8th, I talked about the nascent origins of that patriotism. And, since practically no one was reading the site back then, I’m going to reproduce those thoughts here:
On the 4th of July this year, I was frustrated in my attempt to attend the fireworks at the Stone Arch Bridge by the failure of my girlfriend’s alarm; the questionable quality of my car; and the first symptoms of a rather virulent flu. Stranded at home, I was nevertheless in a patriotic mood, so I grabbed my copy of 1776 and stuck it in the machine.
I really love that musical. I’ve loved it ever since I first listened to it in the 8th grade. I have since come to understand that the delegates of the Second Continental Congress did not, in fact, spontaneously break into song, but it still stands as a stirring testament to the strength, principles, and sheer intelligence of those extraordinary men who we have come to call the Founding Fathers. It also reminds us that the United States of America was not a nation whose fate was assured: Its existence and its character, as defined now in the twin pillars of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution, rested upon the thinnest reeds of chance, and were forced into being only through the determination and ability of truly remarkable men. In my opinion, it is this generation, and this generation alone, which can truly be described as the Greatest Generation. They not only gave birth to a nation, they possessed a singular vision which shone a beacon upon the world.
Shortly after discovering 1776 on my own, I was introduced by my U.S. History teacher to Decision in Philadelphia: The Constitutional Convention of 1776, a book by Christopher Collier and James Lincoln Collier. If I loved 1776, then I was enraptured with Decision in Philadelphia. This phenomenal volume takes up the Constitutional Convention of 1776 — the birthplace of our nation — and presents it with page-turning intensity.
It would be trite to say that it makes the material accessible, because that would understate the authors’ real ability to present the complex political issues of the Convention as a compelling drama without losing any of the depth and detail which make this book a true jewel. Without any pretense or conceit, they place you right onto the Convention floor and insinuate you into backroom bargains — allowing you to watch, first-hand, as the greatest assembly of political philosophers (in that or any age) create the greatest government the world has ever known.
In a very real sense, this book represents the birthplace of my political beliefs. Of course, in many ways, it did so at a remove: In reality, its the political philosophy of James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, James Wilson, Roger Sherman, and George Mason that captured my attention (and later led me to John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, among others). But the Colliers are so cogent and clear in their presentation that the book serves not only as a brilliant piece of history, but as a valuable political primer.
If you truly want to understand the American government – the manner of its conception; the theory of its function; the brilliant compromises which give it endurance — then I strongly encourage you to hunt down a copy of Decision in Philadelphia. You won’t regret it.
These thoughts are particularly notable at this juncture because, without those experiences, I would most likely never have come to write John and Abigail, which is now set to premiere in less than a month. (It opens August 3rd.)
Dream Machine Productions is, therefore, quite proud to announce that today — July 4th, 2007 — we are releasing the John & Abigail Script Book. I’ll allow the back cover blurb of the book to speak for itself:
A TIMELESS LOVE AT THE DAWN OF THE NATION…
Through war and peace, tragedy and joy, the friendship and love of John Adams and Abigail Smith formed a passionate and enduring marriage which helped shape the future of a newborn America.
Through long years of separation, brought about by John’s work in Boston and Philadelphia during the American Revolution, their twin souls were joined only by the ink and parchment of their countless letters. This is the story of a timeless love at the dawn of a nation, of a legendary love that will live forever through its own words…
“A chance to hear about the sacrifices involved in championing the American Revolution. John and Abigail is an adroit adaptation of the letters written between John and Abigail Adams during the infancy of America. Where television, telephones and e-mail linked citizens last fall, John and Abigail endured their extended separations with pen, paper and patience, communicating news of disease, death, battles, longing and love.” – Minneapolis Star Tribune
I hope you’ll all take the time to check it out. Or, failing that, make time to stop by the Bryant Lake Bowl Theater at the beginning of the August.
Now, for those of you following the site for the roleplaying, reviews, and general geekdom: More of that coming with the next update.
Happy Fourth of July!
