2026 Fall Speaker Series | From Liberty to Legacy: Exploring American Ideals in the Musicals 1776 and Hamilton

1776 and Hamilton are two landmark American musicals that dramatize the story of the nation’s founding, created nearly fifty years apart and reflecting very different cultural moments. This talk examines how each work portrays the Revolutionary era, while simultaneously capturing a snapshot of the times in which these shows were written. By comparing their music, characters, and political perspectives, the program explores how changing historical contexts shape the way we tell our national story.

About Michael Langlois

Michael is a dynamic performer, director, lecturer and storyteller with decades of experience on the stage. He has lectured from Connecticut to California on topics ranging from Shakespeare to using one’s passions to create exciting events. Michael has worked with young and old alike, helping them find their voice to tell their own unique stories. As an actor, his credits include the Stage Manager in Our Town; Henry in Henry V; Brutus in Julius Caesar; Mercutio in Romeo and Juliet. Michael has directed across New England including at the Hartford Children’s Theatre, Springfield’s Drama Studio, and for the Ashford Youth Theatre where he worked for nearly 20 years as the Artistic Director. Additionally, he worked for over a decade with New London’s Flock Theatre serving as an Associate Artist. There he directed, acted, and taught acting classes. Michael’s directing credits include A Midsummer Night’s Dream; Othello; Lysistrata; Godspell; A Piece of My Heart; Macbeth; The Crucible Antigone; The Taming of the Shrew; The Imaginary Invalid; and The Tempest.

About the 2026 Fall Speaker Series – Reflecting at 250

Join the Fairfield Museum for a series exploring how American history is interpreted and retold today now that the United States has marked the milestone of the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Prominent historians will examine how storytelling shapes our understanding of history, highlight whose voices are amplified versus whose are marginalized, and offer contemporary perspectives on our nation’s past. Together, we will discover how the choices about what to remember—and what to overlook—shape national identity and ongoing debates about the American past and future.

Additional Lectures in the Series:

September 20 | Stories of Connecticut’s Black Patriots | John Mills

October 4 | The Will of the People | T.H. Breen

November 8 | Nobody Men: Neutrality and Loyalties in the American Revolution | Travis Glasson

Light refreshments provided.

Registration is required. $15 for Members; $20 for Non-Members; $75 for the series; $60 for Members.

Ticketing Policy

• No refunds will be given unless the program is cancelled by the Fairfield Museum.
• We do not pro-rate fees for missed days of the series.