- Asia Tabb
aired; July 3, 2026
What if the story of the U.S. Constitution wasn’t just about the Founding Fathers? On The Spark, we spoke with Mechanicsburg playwright Cindy Dlugolecki and composer Christine Purcell about Quill-adelphia, an original musical that shines a light on the lesser-known people behind one of America’s most important documents. The production centers on Jacob Shallus, the Pennsylvania Assembly assistant clerk who hand-penned the final copy of the U.S. Constitution in 1787, while also exploring the experiences of everyday citizens, the contributions of women, and early abolition efforts during the Constitutional Convention.
Dlugolecki, who is also a cousin of the man who penned the Constitution, shared the inspiration behind bringing this overlooked chapter of American history to life through theater and music. Together with Purcell, the pair discussed how Quill-adelphia blends history, humor, and memorable songs to make the nation’s founding more accessible while highlighting voices that are often left out of traditional history books…