Lincoln Bicentennial Continues with Performance

The Lincoln Bicentennial Celebration will feature the play “Abraham Lincoln & Frederick Douglass: A Friendship Unique,” at 8:30 p.m. April 22 in the Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall.

Sponsored by the Schwengel Lincoln Fund and the Lincoln Bicentennial Committee, the play is a continuation of events that began in October 2008 and will end in December 2009. Accompanied by the Unique Ensemble Gospel Choir, this drama stars Richard Klein as Abraham Lincoln and Michael Crutcher as Frederick Douglass. 

The action begins in March of 1860 as Douglass remarks how his relationship with Lincoln has changed over the years. He recalls his reaction to Lincoln’s election and first inaugural speech as a feeling of hope.

The Douglass/Lincoln relationship is chronicled throughout the Civil War where the pair struggled with issues such as pay inequalities for Negro regiments. The drama ends March 4, 1865 as the final phrases of Lincoln’s Second Inaugural Speech linger throughout the theatre.

A reception, with music provided by the Truman University Jazz Musicians, will immediately follow the event. Reservations are not required and the performance is free and open to the public.

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