A Message from the Producer

First Freedom depicts the practically unknown story of a world changing event. In 1786 James Madison facilitated the passage of Thomas Jefferson's bill for establishing religious freedom in Virginia, the first legislative act in the history of man to do so.

First Freedom is the work of several years. We have the finest playwright, director, and composer we could find. We enlisted a Board of Advisors consisting of playwrights, authors, musicians, educators and historians. We have consulted the most recognized biographers of both Madison and Jefferson. First Freedom will rank with the best musical productions the nation has produced.

The show teaches a timely and profound message and audiences will be moved, exhilarated, amazed, and leave the theater singing the music.

In the early nineties, I was privileged to work as an associate tour guide at Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, in Charlottesville, Virginia. In the course of my studies I memorized what Jefferson insisted would be on his tombstone:

Here was buried Thomas Jefferson Author of the Declaration of American Independence Of the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom And Father of the University of Virginia."

Most Americans are familiar with the first accomplishment, and the third accomplishment is self-explanatory. That second achievement, however, intrigued me. I determined to become more familiar with this lesser known accomplishment, of which Jefferson was most pleased.

As I studied I came to believe that this bill for establishing religious freedom was his greatest work. The bill, the first of its kind in the history of man, changed our view of the inviolability of the human heart. Written in language startling to our modern ears, it declares boldly the right to freedom of conscience for every man:

Well aware… that Almighty God hath created the mind free, and manifested his supreme will that free it shall remain… [and] civil as well as ecclesiastical rulers who, being themselves but fallible and uninspired men, have assumed dominion over the faith of others… and have established and maintained false religions over the greatest part of the world, and through all time… And… that truth is great and will prevail if left to herself…

We the General Assembly do enact that no man shall be compelled to frequent of support any religious worship, place, or ministry… nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or beliefs… and do declare that the rights hereby asserted are the natural rights of all mankind…" [Excerpts: A Bill for Establishing Religious Freedom, Thomas Jefferson, 1786]

The passage of this bill was followed by the passage of the First Amendment to the Constitution in 1791, forever insuring that the new United States would not establish a state church nor discriminate against anyone on account of their religious beliefs.

Congress shall make no law respecting and establishment of Religion nor prohibiting the free exercise thereof…" [1st Amendment, Constitution of the United States 1791]

The other new states, over a period of about 40 years, disestablished their state churches. And the result? In American over 2300 independent religious sects, congregations, or churches worship together in peace, while throughout the world, religious wars still rage.

I believe that the audiences who see "First Freedom" will leave the theatre with a sense of the precious gift our forefathers gave us, an expanded understanding of what is meant by religious freedom, and a new awareness of how important it is to protect and defend this first of all freedoms.

On this website you will find videos of our play, interviews from our creative team, press coverage, our future plans, and much more. Please enjoy, and if you are so inspired to help me bring this message to our country, please visit the Contribute section of our site.