RICHMOND, Va. -- As far back as he can remember, actor Scott Wichmann has been infatuated with American history.
"It all seems to circles back to the Revolution. It is wonderful. Being from Massachusetts the Revolution is something we focus quite a bit upon," Wichmann said.
For Scott history would unfold in his middle school’s cafeteria which doubled as a stage.
"My first acting gig was in a play, 'My Brother Sam is Dead' which is a Revolutionary War play," he said.
Bitten by the acting bug as a teen, Scott found his calling. He hasn’t stopped performing.
“I think I knew without knowing and putting it into words that I wanted to be an actor," Scott said.
From the beginning Scott’s father supported his budding thespian.
“He said do what makes you happy and he meant it. And my mother said the same thing," he said.
Fast forward 30 years, Scott is playing the part of a lifetime in the musical ‘1776’ in Richmond's historic November Theatre.
“This is my favorite role. John Adams is my favorite role," Scott said. "This is the best feeling in the world.”
Playing the cantankerous Bostonian comes naturally. Wichmann channeled his inner Adams on the Fox mini-series “Legends, Lies and Patriots”.
Scott also appeared in Stephen Spielberg’s film, “Lincoln” shot across Richmond.
“It was a dream come true. It was a learning experience," Scott said.
For Scott, ‘1776’ blends entertainment and education.
“It is kind of a civic responsibility," he said. "If we don’t look back and appreciate where we came from then I think we lose something."
Virginia Repertory Theatre’s Susan Davenport said Scott’s acting talent knows no bounds.
“He is so professional and he owns everything he does it makes our job easy. His passion level is actually off the charts and its actually contagious as well so," Susan said.
Scott not only acts like a patriot on stage, he plays one in real life too. Nine years ago Scott signed up to serve our country.
“It is very important to me. It is everything. When I was 34 years old I said this is how I’m going to make a contribution. I’m going to join the Navy reserve," Scott said.
With the curtain still rising on his career, Scott embraces every moment on-stage and off.
“There is something that feels almost spiritual about it. I can’t explain it," he said.
For a man who makes his living delivering lines, Scott Wichmann grows speechless when thinking of just how far he has come in the script of life.
“I don’t have any words. I can’t tell you. It might sound corny, but I’m exactly where I want to be. Exactly where I want to be," he said.
"1776" is now playing at the November Theatre on Broad Street through October 23.
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