The Spoon River College Community Chorus and the Canton History & Arts Alliance present the original theatrical production, We Hold These Truths, on Sunday, June 28 at 7 p.m. at the Opera House Plaza in downtown Canton. The show includes over 40 actors, singers, musicians, and technicians. The production is free and open to the public.
We Hold These Truths, written by Carol Davis, Chad Murphy, and Corrinna Markland Pickel, commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States. The production is directed by Carol Davis.
“Chad, Corrinna, and I set out to write a production that was entertaining, thought-provoking, historically based, challenging, and memorable,” Davis said. “We Hold These Truths has something for everyone.”
The show features an outdoor television broadcast of the popular 2026 show – We Hold These Truths. Through an unexplained twist of time, Presidents George Washington, John Adams, and Thomas Jefferson, along with Abigail Adams, are featured guests on the program. The show’s moderator, Sage Stark, asks the presidents and Mrs. Adams if the America of today is the America they had intended when the country was first formed in 1776. Much is revealed as the presidents respond and the WHTT audience performs musical numbers highlighting the nation’s history.
The musical numbers include popular songs from the revolution to a Canadian choral arrangement of Bob Dylan’s Chimes of Freedom, a song specifically commissioned for the 250th celebration, and a closing number which invites those in attendance to participate.
The cast includes Phil Funkenbusch as George Washington, Chad Murphy as John Adams, Sara Mathis as Abigail Adams, Douglas Okey as Thomas Jefferson, Corrinna Markland Pickel as Sage Stark, Stacy Smith as the Stage Manager, and BJ Stone as the Host of We Hold These Truths.
Pamela Willison serves as musical director and pianist for the production. Drake Miller provides sounds of 1776 on the piccolo with Lindsey Larson on glockenspiel. Greg Pollitt is the sound technician. Costumers are Denise Kirgan, Andrea Barbknecht, and Lori Beecham.
Chorus members include Andrea Barbknecht, Sherry Coffey, Colin Davis, John Davis, Jennifer Fletcher, Clay Klinedinst, Carol Kohler, Charlene Kornoski-DuVall, Aja Lawson, Wendy Martin, Trygve Meade, Janet Munson, Natalie Orwig, Cecily Pearson, Lydia Robinson, Ron Smith, Sue Smith, Marley Smith, Lily Smith, Shane Smith, Jean Sprecher, Jeanine Standard, Mike Varnes, Melissa Walker, Kevin Watson, and Tammy Weaver.
We Hold These Truths is appropriate for all age ranges and families are encouraged to attend. Audience members should bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating. Should inclement weather prohibit the production from taking place outdoors, the production will be moved to the sanctuary of the First Christian Church of Canton.
Photo Credit: Carol Davis