THEATER REVIEW / ‘1776’ : History Lesson : The Camarillo Community Theatre production presents the Founding Fathers in all their humanity.

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of the 1969 Broadway musical “1776” is that it actually keeps the audience in suspense for nearly three hours, wondering if the Declaration of Independence will ever get written, let alone signed.

John Adams of Massachusetts proposes independence, but he’s so disliked that nothing he suggests has a prayer. Like every political body, each member has his own agenda. How will those be resolved? And if the Continental Congress does agree to withdraw from the British Commonwealth, how does it propose to win the inevitable war? The English Army is already retaliating for protests, including the Boston Tea Party, and General Washington is sending a series of increasingly depressing messages from the front.

The Camarillo Community Theatre is presenting the play through July 25. There couldn’t be a more appropriate, entertaining or (gulp!) educational way to celebrate the founding of our country. If history classes were like this, we would all have learned a lot more about who we are as a nation and why.

The play itself won two Tony awards, as well as a New York Drama Critics Circle award. Peter Stone’s libretto, based on scrupulous research by Sherman Edwards, captures the Founding Fathers in full humanity; you can feel the heat in Independence Hall and watch the representatives brush the flies from their faces.

Watch Ben Franklin, who would rather con somebody into action than make a simple request, and who seriously proposes the turkey as our national symbol (perhaps a couple of hundred years too soon). Meet 33-year-old Thomas Jefferson, who would rather spend time with his wife than write the Declaration. And hold your breath as the representative from Pennsylvania attempts--until the last minute--to stop independence dead in its tracks.

Edwards, who conceived the show, wrote its music and lyrics. Most of the songs are designed to move the show along, which they do with wit and economy.

Director Michael Sollazzo played in the original touring company of “1776” and designed both its set and that of the current Camarillo production.

Michael Voll stars as Adams, not quite as obnoxious and dislikable a character as William Daniels was in the original, but high-spirited nonetheless. Other notable members of the huge cast are Lloyd Allen as Franklin, Fred Lehto as the irrepressible Richard Henry Lee and Ryan Parr as Edward Rutledge. Linda Davis plays Abigail Adams and Layne Rawson is Martha Jefferson. Frank Hernandez is the courier from Washington’s army who sings “Mama Look Sharp.”

The show looks terrific, and the six-piece orchestra under Charles Padilla works wonders. Scott Allan handled the choreography, and Margaret Miche coordinated the colorful costumes.

There have been other productions of “1776” in Ventura County; this one is based on a version by the Encore Dinner Theater three years ago. We could do worse than have this show running constantly, so that everybody could see and hear it. There are some rough spots--some actors aren’t up to the others. But never mind, this is a wonderful experience.

* WHERE AND WHEN

“1776” continues Friday through Sunday nights at the Camarillo Airport Theater, 330 Skyway Drive, in Camarillo. Shows are at 8 on Friday and Saturday nights; 7 on Sundays, except this Saturday, July 4, which will be at 5 p.m. Tickets are $10; $8 for seniors, students and active military. Group rates and house buy-outs are available. For reservations or further information, call 388-5716.

CASTING CALLAUDITIONS

The Camarillo Community Theatre will hold additional auditions for their upcoming production of Gilbert & Sullivan’s “H.M.S. Pinafore.” The auditions will be conducted at the theater, 330 Skyway Drive in the Camarillo Airport, at 7 p.m. July 6, 7 and 8. People planning to audition should bring sheet music and be prepared to sing. For further information, call director Michael Voll at 379-5114, or musical director Penny Puente at 495-6256.