The timing seems perfect for "1776," the award-winning musical about the creation of the Declaration of Independence, which opened last night at Robert Morris University's Colonial Theatre in Massey Hall.

The last production in the Colonial Theatre's "Revolution in America" series, "1776" arrives during the run up to a hotly contested presidential primary, as well as on the heels of a critically acclaimed HBO miniseries about one of the show's lead roles, John Adams.

Assistant theater professor and director Barbara Burgess-LeFebvre said the timing is a "happy coincidence." But she points out "1776," while at times playing "fast and loose" with the historical facts, is not only a fairly accurate portrayal of our founding fathers, it's also a humanizing one.

"We so revere our founding fathers that we don't dig in and get to know them very well," she said. " '1776' shows us these men as real people."

And as people who joke and sing. While a musical comedy sung by scores of men in powdered wigs and tights may sound odd, Ms. Burgess-LeFebvre pointed out the show won three Tony awards, including Best Musical, when it debuted on Broadway in 1969.

"1776" covers the debates between members of the Continental Congress in Philadelphia between May 8 and July 4, and includes major historical figures such as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Edison, John Hancock, and the only two female roles, Martha Jefferson and Abigail Adams.

Ms. Burgess-LeFebvre noted the cast calls for "24 white men and two white women," but she has opted for color- and gender-blind casting, as well as continuing the Colonial Theatre's tradition of casting a mix of students, faculty and professional and community actors.

She also noted that a third of the performers are freshman such as Patrick Cannon, 18, a 2007 graduate of West Allegheny High School. He plays the pivotal role of John Adams.

While it's an honor to play Adams, said Mr. Cannon, it's also a serious challenge. "I've never had to focus so hard," he noted. "It's scary. He's such an important figure, you don't want to play him poorly."

Korey White, 19, from Crafton, plays New York delegate Lewis Morris, famous for his repeated refusal to participate in Congress votes. Mr. White said he found it "a little funny, at first," that as an African-American, he was playing one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. But any irony faded, he said, in the face of the demands of playing a historical character.

Not only does the cast wear clothing from the period, which for the men means wigs and knee-length breeches, they also must act like people from the 18th Century. As an example, Mr. White said men of the time stood with one leg turned out, as it was thought the most attractive stance.

"1776" also stars RMU junior Erin Chamberlain as Martha Jefferson and graduate student Matthew Wolf as Benjamin Franklin. RMU professor John Silbert is John Dickinson, while local actress Nina Napoleone is Abigail Adams. Ms. Burgess-LeFebvre noted Thomas Jefferson will be played by "guest artist" Shawn Smith.

Ms. Burgess-LeFebvre said having actors from both inside and outside of the University was part of the mission that she and Dr. Ken Gargaro, also assistant professor of theater at RMU and founder of Pittsburgh Musical Theater, are developing.

She also noted that a mixed group was appropriate to portray the Continental Congress.

"We think of these men as all similar," she said, "but they were a very diverse bunch. They thought of themselves as being from different countries, which were the states, and they weren't all wealthy. One was even a shoemaker."