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During Independence Day weekend, Philadelphia is known for pulling out all the stops to celebrate in the city where it all began.
Actor Michael Heyniger will play his part in the festivities June 30 when he hosts a screening of "1776," the film version of a Pulitzer Prize-winning musical about the creation of the Declaration of Independence. What could be more appropriate for July 4?
Dressed fully in Colonial attire, the actor from Sixth and Morris streets will welcome guests to the screening at Independence Living History Center, Third and Chestnut streets. Because this showing is interactive, he’ll provide props, such as flags and quill pens, to use at key moments during the movie.
"It’s definitely a lighthearted approach to the events, but it’s historically accurate – except for some exaggeration," said Heyniger, who is in his second year as host of "Interactive 1776 The Movie Musical."
The film is screened 7 p.m. Fridays until Sept. 1 and is sponsored by Once Upon a Nation, a program that brings history to life in various ways.
Before the film begins, Heyniger plans to enter the auditorium carrying a lantern, wearing a vest, breeches and a laborer’s cap. "It’s what a typical Philadelphian would wear in the l8th century," he said.
Standing in front of the audience, he’ll give background information about the city during those scorching months in l776.
"It was one of the hottest summers in Philadelphia’s recorded history and, of course, there was no air conditioning," he said. "And the unpaved streets were thick with mud because of summer storms."
He’ll also convey that the Founding Fathers wore up to 15 pounds of clothing – usually wool – plus powdered wigs. "It would be a disgrace if they wore short-sleeved shirts or sandals," he said.
Along with giving background, Heyniger will brief the audience on their supplied props. For instance, everyone plays a flute during the opening credits and they’ll pass around quill pens when the delegates sign the Declaration of Independence. Heyniger also rings a bell every time a delegate signs and leads sing-alongs whenever the characters break into song (the lyrics will be displayed on screen).
Last July 4, the audience included many devoted patriots.
"One group of 15 were major fans of the movie who knew every word of every song," Heyniger said. "And families came who watch the movie on video every July 4 weekend."
They liked watching it at the Living History Center even more. "They enjoyed the interactive experience," the host said. "Also, this is the only place to find this movie on the big screen – and it’s shown only three blocks from where the event happened."
BY NOW, HEYNIGER has seen "l776" numerous times and, while he enjoys the fun, it has also deepened his appreciation of Independence Day. "It’s made the Declaration of Independence much more meaningful," he said. "Now I understand the whole background much better."
His historical knowledge comes in handy when he greets interested tourists three days a week as a Colonial Philadelphian, telling about his daily life. As one of about 30 actors for Once Upon a Nation – called "first-person interpreters" – Heyniger plays the role of a typical Colonial interacting with visitors.
On a recent Wednesday, for example, Heyniger was at the Visitors Center at Sixth and Market streets, where a steady stream of visitors came to get free information, sign up for tours and see the colorful displays. He stood dressed in Colonial garb, displaying 20 woodcuts, and told onlookers he was Gabriel Taylor, the son of a gravedigger. "I don’t want to be a gravedigger like my father," he said in character. "So I’m learning to make woodcuts."
When a tourist said, "Cool!" Heyniger replied, "No, it’s actually kind of hot." The slang expression "cool," of course, would not be known to Gabriel Taylor. The fictional Taylor would have on Cedar Street, the original name of South Street. "That’s where most of the laborers lived, on the edge of the city," he said, adding that pigs ran wild on unpaved streets.
Heyniger did not invent these everyday details. "We use actual facts to show people how the common person lived," he said. "Most times, people learn only about the famous figures, but we want to show that the common people were an important part of our history."
Now in his sixth season as an interpreter, Heyniger landed the job because of his strong acting background. After he passed the audition, he had three weeks of intensive training, including lectures by scholars and historians and a questioning session by experienced interpreters.
When training ended, he was assigned to portray a gravedigger for Christ Church. He got permission to read the church’s archives and l8th-century documents and researched l8th-century life in Philadelphia. He welcomed the challenge – and still does.
"I like having stuff I can dig into and then portray realistically," he said.
By now Heyniger has met people from all over the U.S. and beyond. As typical tourists, many come with cameras and, in his Colonial outfit, Heyniger is a tempting photo op. He willingly obliges whenever people point and click. "I’m probably in photo albums all over the world," he said, estimating people take his photo about 150 times a day in the peak summer months.
In the off-season, the versatile 27-year-old produces horror shows. He’s also made two films, which have been screened at the Shubin Theater, Fourth and Bainbridge streets, and has participated in the Horror Fest in Yardley. Additionally, he does special effects for area theaters and for film, such as puppets, mascot costumes and stage makeup. "It’s one of my fun things," he said.
But this weekend, and for the rest of the summer, the fun will be in bringing history to life. "I really have a love for this now," he said. "I enjoy giving people a new look at history by portraying the human side." SPR
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For information about Once Upon a Nation events, call 215-629-4026 or visit www.onceuponanation.org.
