While watching 1776 with my friend, we both agreed that John Hancock should be considered a leading role and Jefferson a featured role. Yes we understand that Jefferson wrote the declaration but that isn’t the point.
Like In the opening credits, David Ford should have came before Ken Howard. Because Hancock has a LOT more lines than Jefferson. Hancock is more important than Jefferson in the sense that he has to hold the congress together like a big machine. And David was excellent at that.
His speech alone right after he votes for unanimity should have won David Ford a Tony and an Oscar.
Like the main leads in this musical should be Adams, Dickinson, Hancock, Franklin, and Rutledge. Idk why Hopkins is a leading role, he doesn’t have much to do except drink rum all the time and only have one important moment which is where he comes back from the privy and he says “yay” to a debate and that leads a path down to independence. But other than that, he didn’t have much to do.
Overall, Hancock should have really been considered a leading role. Hancock is very important, if not THEE most important character. It’s a shame David Ford didn’t win any awards for that role.