The Spoon River College Community Chorus and the Canton History & Arts Alliance present WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS, a multi-focus staged musical, at 7:00 p.m. on June 28, 2026, at the Opera House Plaza in downtown Canton. The production will be free and open to the public. Singers are currently being sought to take part in the production.
Those interested in taking part in the new production should Contact Carol Davis by April 30.
WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS, written and directed by Carol Davis, commemorates and examines the 250th anniversary of the United States of America through the eyes of the country’s founders.
“It is June 2026 and Sage Stark (Corrinna Markland Pickel), television reporter/moderator, has invited Presidents George Washington (Phil Funkenbush), John Adams (Chad Murphy), and Thomas Jefferson (Douglas Okey) to an open air forum to reflect on their founding intentions, to discuss the struggles defining the new government, and to comment on how they believe the whole United States of America experiment is faring,” Davis explains.
“Understanding how instrumental Abigail Adams (Sara Mathis) was in the formation of the new country, Sage Stark, has also invited Mrs. Adams to be present. Sage has many questions for these individuals. Their responses and interchanges are poignant, humorous, thought-provoking, engaging, relevant, shocking, and profound.”
The production includes songs from the 1700s as well as contemporary songs by American artists, including a song written specifically for the 250th anniversary. The chorus members portray the open-air forum’s audience.
Two music rehearsals are scheduled for June 18 and 22 at 7 p.m. All participants in the show are required to rehearse from 1 p.m. – 6 p.m. with the performance to follow at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, June 28. For more information, Email Carol Davis.