LINCOLN AND GOD:

THE STAGE PLAY

BY ANTHONY E. GALLO

  VIEW ENTIRE PRODUCTION AT GREENBELT ARTS CENTER 2012

Abraham Lincoln is the only American President who did not claim church membership. This two-act

This Messianic fervor, however, is tempered by the fact that both North and South thought that they were fulfilling that divine Mission.  “God wills this contest,’ he often said, implying that the victor in the battle carried God’s favor.    Abraham Lincoln says  “With my own ability I can not succeed without the sustenance of both Divine Providence and of this great free happy and intelligent people.   Without these, I can not succeed, with them I can not fail.” The man at the center of this drama once said “Political sermons from the pulpit and religious speeches from the soap box don’t work for me.  No President should wear his religion on his sleeves.  No clergy should wear his political beliefs on his robe. “Yet he rarely withheld biblical quotations in his political oratory.

Lincoln’s primary communication with God does not come from reading the Word, hearing the Word, or even Prayer, but instead through the experience. Do you hear the word of God?  According to Lincoln “you must let God speak to you through your experience with every deed, dialogue and action you encounter each day.    “So then the Bible is worthless asks Reverend Phineas Gurley.  “It is the most important document in the history of humanity, but only when it is read and acted upon.    If I can not serve the nation, I would rather be assassinated on the spot”

The play traces his conflict with God through his defeats, triumphs, and tragedies as he heard God in the dialogue and actions of those closest to him.    From his arrival in Washington dancing to the Mary Lincoln Polka to the Emancipation Proclamation and Second Inauguration, we follow the president as he clashes with other characters in the cast.  He struggles with his moral decisions with Gurley.   He falls upon God with the collapse of his beloved wife Mary and death of son Willie.  Faithful chief of staff John “Nico” Hay wants  him to do the politically and morally  right thing.   Lincoln must even confront depression, allegations of homosexuality, and séances.    The play ends with the congregation and cast (audience) singing the final sermon in Lincoln’s honor.

PRODUCTION HISTORY

1.    July, 2012   Greenbelt Arts Center (Full Production)
2.    September, 2011   Kennedy Center for the Performing     Arts  
3.    July, 2011 Knollwood Stage Retirement Community
4.    January 2011   Dramatists Guild of America
5.    September 2010   National Press Club
6.    September, 2010   US Armed Forces Retirement Home
7.    July 2009   Warehouse Theater/Fringe (Full     Production)
8.    February 2009   Cosmos Theater Presentation
9.    February 2008 New York Avenue Presbyterian Church   Seminar
10.    October 2007 Cosmos Theater   Public Staged Reading
11.    June 2007 New York Avenue Presbyterian Church Peter     Peter Marshall Stage (Full Production)
12.    January 2007 Playwrights Forum Public Staged Reading
13.    March 2007 Seventh Street Playhouse Staged Reading
14.    Year 2006 PF Workshop

Reviews:  

​by Carol Griffith   Greenbelt News Review
A Review

Intelligent and entertaining, dramatic and detailed – all are descriptions of “Lincoln and God,” the latest play by Anthony Gallo now showing at the Greenbelt Arts Center. This is Gallo’s third and best-yet production at GAC.
Was Abraham Lincoln a human messenger of God? A prophet? What was his relationship with his God? These are the questions the play explores through showing how Lincoln related to family members – even those who opposed his politics, to his staff and to the clergyman with whom he developed a close friendship. Gallo, who has clearly done a considerable amount of research into Lincoln’s life and  associations, has unearthed a number of historical figures and events that, though largely lost to history, played a role in Lincoln’s life. The scenesand characters flow so easily, the play is thoroughly engrossing and entertaining.  The play begins its chronology shortly after Lincoln’s first inauguration as he debates his Confederacy-sympathizing brother- in-law (played by Pat Martin), offering him a position to no avail in the Union Army. Soon he is visited by the Reverend Phineas Densmore Gurley, pastor of the (still-standing) New York Avenue Presbyterian Church (played beautifully by David Weaver). Their debates about God, religion and life are among the best scenes. Lincoln called for Gurley’s advice at difficult times during his terms as president and their imagined conversations are  Intelligent and entertaining,
The play begins its chronology shortly after Lincoln’s first inauguration as he debates his Confederacy-sympathizing brother-in-law (played by Pat Martin), offering him a position to no avail in the Union Army. Soon he is visited by the Reverend Phineas Densmore Gurley, pastor of the (still-standing) New York Avenue Presbyterian Church (played beautifully by David 
Weaver).
Their debates about God, religion and life are among the best scenes. Lincoln called for Gurley’s advice at difficult times during his terms as president and their imagined conversations are insightful. One of the most touching scenes finds Lincoln and a critical Gurley participating in a séance conducted by a known charlatan, to appease Mary Todd Lincoln as she grieves the loss of her two sons.
James McDaniel shows Lincoln’s humanity well. His dramatic reading of the Gettysburg Address is spine-tingling. As Nico Hay, Lincoln’s assistant, Mark Mueller gives a great performance.  And special kudos to Shirl Weaver for stepping into the role of Mary Todd Lincoln on a two-hour notice on opening night and carrying it off so beautifully.
 Musical selections from the talented Homespun Ceilidh Band, popular performers at GAC, set the mood for the play. “Lincoln and God” has had  And special kudos to Shirl Weaver for stepping into the role of Mary Todd Lincoln on atwo-hour notice on opening night and carrying it off so beautifully.Musical selections from the talented Homespun Ceilidh Band, popular performers at GAC, setthe mood for the play.
“Lincoln and God” has had Kennedy Center, the National Press Club staged readings presented at the and the Dramatists Guild of America; this is its first  full-stage production. Gallo is in the process of composing, with Alan Gershwin, an opera based on the play. We’re fortunate to have the play here in Greenbelt –don’t miss this opportunity. “Lincoln and God” will play on the Friday and Saturday evenings of August 3 and 4 at 8 p.m. A Sunday matinee will be held on August 5 at 2:30 p.m.  Reservations may be made through the box office at 301- 441-8770 or at the Greenbelt ArtsCenter at 123 Centerway, locatedbeneath the Co-op supermarket

ALSO READ ANOTHER REVIEW
 DC Metro Arts  Kim Moeller   

Lincoln and God’ at Greenbelt Arts Center by Kim Moeller  DC METRO THEATRE ARTS
The producers, cast, and crew of Lincoln and God must have felt like God was out of town on Friday night as their production experienced one calamity after another. The computer system was down making things difficult for the Box Office but the biggest misfortune of the evening came two hours before curtain when the show’s leading actress playing Mary Todd Lincoln had to be taken to the hospital. Thankfully, she’s OK but she was unable to perform leaving Mrs. Lincoln’s shoes to be filled by costumer and actress Shirley “Shirl” Weaver. Ms. Weaver had been cast to play several small, minor roles in the production but was thrust into the pivotal role and I must say she performed admirably considering the situation. Other parts had to be juggled and Ms. Weaver, understandably, needed to carry script pages with her throughout the evening. There was a scene listed in program set at Ford’s Theatre but not performed.

The cast of 'Lincoln and God.' Back row (left to right): David Weaver, Shirley Weaver, Zsun-nee Matema, Lenny Levy and Mark Mueller. Front row: Pat Martin, James McDaniel, Mellicent Singham and Sherman McDaniel. Photo by David Weaver.

I am confident this woeful turn of events threw the entire cast off balance resulting in missed cues and forgotten lines. Consequently, out of respect for the cast and production team and after talking with my editor, I am not going to review this production in the traditional sense with the inclusion of stars or endorsements, or lack thereof. I will, however, share some thoughts from the evening.

The two-act drama explores Abraham Lincoln’s relationship with God. Covering the four-year span of time Lincoln was in office, playwright Anthony E. Gallo offers a series of vignettes that that reflects the President’s views, beliefs, and questions about God, church-going, and moral decisions. Meticulously researched, the story focuses on Lincoln’s discussions with Rev. Phineas Densmore Gurley, the pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church. In the audience discussion with the playwright following the production, Mr. Gallo made clear his point of view that is the foundation of the play: Lincoln was an instrument of God’s will.

While I am always attracted to stories of humanity’s experience with the Divine, Mr. Gallo’s script did not provide enough authenticity to hold my attention. Many lines seem like speeches or recitations rather than realistic dialogue. Too many scenes opened with dry exposition. Ultimately, it felt more like a historical review than a drama about a man struggling to understand God in the midst of the death of his son, the mental deterioration of his wife, and the fight to maintain the unity of the United States in the midst of slavery, secession, and war.

In spite of the dark cloud that seemed to be hanging over the production, there were a number of bright spots.

While it is always difficult to portray an iconic figure, James McDaniel as Abraham Lincoln delivered a superb performance. In an understated way, he commanded attention while on stage and communicated vulnerability as the country’s leader during a time of instability and conflict. McDaniel successfully conveyed a tenderness towards Mary Todd and Lincoln’s despair over the loss of two sons. I found the less-than-authentic beard and wig to be very distracting but it spoke well of Mr. McDaniel’s talent that he was quite believable in spite of it.

David Weaver in the role of Rev. Gurley looked the part of a 19th century pastor. Weaver’s bio says this is a “rare stage appearance” as he is more often found doing technical support for productions. I look forward to seeing him grow as an actor because his face is expressive and he is quite earnest in the role.
Mark Mueller’s performance as the President’s chief of staff, John “Nico” Hay, was particularly noteworthy. As Rev. Gurley delivered Lincoln’s eulogy, my attention was riveted on Mueller in the background as he cleared the President’s office. With an authentic mournful demeanor and subtle actions such as a tender stroke of Lincoln’s stovepipe hat, Mueller expressed his character’s deep sense of loss.
ZSun-nee Matema was completely underutilized in her role as former slave Elizabeth Keckley, dressmaker, and confidant of Mary Todd Lincoln. She shined in the unfortunately rare moments when she had a line to say or action to perform.
Pat Martin (Benjamin Helm, Captain Holmes, John Wilkes Booth) and Sherman McDaniel (Emily Todd Helm) portrayed supporting characters. Even Director Lenny Levy played several roles although he seemed distracted while on stage.
While the set was quite sparse, the costumes (especially the dresses) make up for it in creating a sense of time and place. I did have one issue with the staging. The audience was seated on three sides of the performance area and I was  concerned that folks sitting on the sides experienced far less impact from Lincoln’s speeches because the orations were staged so close to the front of the “stage.’
As Mr. Gallo said while informing us of the casting changes and challenges, “The show must go on!” And it surely did. Kudos to the entire production team for surmounting the obstacles.

Running Time: Two hours with one intermission

   .RR