History will come to life on Marietta College’s campus this summer as One Vote! The Musical, an original production inspired by the founding of Marietta and the Northwest Territory, premieres July 17-26 in Friederich Theater at the Hermann Fine Arts Center.
Presented by the Northwest Territory Museum Society in partnership with Marietta College, the collaboration reflects the College’s commitment to connecting classroom learning with real-world experiences while celebrating the history of the community it has called home for nearly two centuries.
Written by acclaimed singer-songwriters Larry Groce and Todd Burge, director of Marietta College’s Esbenshade Series, One Vote! is directed by Jack Colclough of Marshall University’s School of Theatre & Dance. The original musical follows the New England settlers who founded Marietta and the decisions that helped shape the future of Ohio and the nation. Centered on the vote that secured Ohio’s admission to the Union as a free state, the production celebrates one of the defining moments in early American democracy through humor, history and an original score blending pop, rock, Americana and folk influences.
The musical explores the lives of historical figures including Ephraim Cutler and Rufus Putnam, often referred to as the “Father of the Northwest Territory,” alongside fictional characters whose stories illuminate the experiences and struggles of frontier families, Native peoples and African Americans during the settlement of the region.
Beyond the stage, the production brings together educators, students, faculty and professional artists from Marietta College, Ohio University and Marshall University. Students from Marshall University and Ohio University constructed the set pieces before they were transported to Marietta, where students from Marietta reassembled them for the production. Through Marietta College’s Center for Appalachian Innovation, students have also gained internship experience connected to the production, working alongside faculty and professional collaborators in theatrical production.
Performances will be held July 17, 18, 24 and 25 at 7 p.m. and July 19 and 26 at 2:30 p.m. in the Friederich Theater at Marietta College’s Hermann Fine Arts Center. Tickets and additional information are available at onevotemusical.com.