“THE HAUNTED WIDOW LINCOLN” opens in Batavia
Donna Latham (Batavia Playwright) has written a wonderful script about Mary Todd Lincoln and her life after the President’s death, including her stay at Bellevue Place in Batavia. The Batavia Arts Council is producing this poignant, funny and heartfelt script October 10, 11, and 12 at The Holmstad auditorium as one of its many fund raising events.
The play is part historical fiction, part pure fiction as Ms. Latham explores the character that was Mary Todd Lincoln, one of history’s most misunderstood political figures. Mary Todd Lincoln was declared a “lunatic” in just ten minutes, by a “sea of men,” without the opportunity to speak on her own behalf. Many of the themes of this play ring true to current political rhetoric, but the character study of Mrs. Lincoln is the heart and soul of this script. We see her grieve over the death of her sons and her husband, we see her blindsided by the trail, and we see her attempting to cope with the burdens of her life, and how she deals with the “ghosts” that haunt her. The play is funny and somber at same time.
“I like to think that I write “dramedy,” states Ms. Latham, who has been on hand at each rehearsal, guiding the story, and adding invaluable pieces of historic information to help the cast with their character development. “It’s been a rewarding experience to work closely with the directors and actors to bring this show to life. Once I gauge audience reactions, I’ll continue to revise and tweak the script.”
The show features the talent of Carrie Schafer (Batavia) as Mary Todd Lincoln. Leigh Tracy (Batavia) is cast as the Judge who sentences Mary to Bellevue. The “sea of men” who were instrumental in her trial include Galen Malek (Bartlett) as Secretary Stanton, her lawyer, played by Matt Heine (Batavia), and her son Robert played by Aaron Berogan (DeKalb). The show opens with the shooting of President Lincoln, played by Kyle Rath (Downers Grove), gunned down by John Wilkes Booth being portrayed by Carl Zeilter (Glen Ellyn). Mary Todd Lincoln’s best friend at this time was her seamstress Elizabeth Keckley, brought to life by Autumn Geist (Lisle). At Bellevue, Mary befriends one of the house staff, Rosalie played by Rachael Bright (Elmhurst), and she travels to downtown Chicago in an effort to speak to her husband beyond the grave. The medium Madame Marvelosa is played by Ben Vargas, with his assistant Zuzu Jones portrayed by Lea May Rivera of Aurora.
Batavia Arts Council is producing the show as one of its many fund raising activities. The Batavia Art Council’s mission is to support artists and art projects in the community, offering grants and scholarships on an annual basis toward that mission.
All Dressed Up costumes is the primary sponsor of this event, donating the costumes for the production.
The Haunted Widow Lincoln will run October 10, 11, and 12 with performances at 8pm on Friday and Saturday evening and 2:00 on Sunday afternoon. Tickets are only $10 each and can be purchased on line at www.bataviaartscouncil.org under the fund raising events tab.The production will be held at The Holmstad, 700 West Fabyan Parkway in Batavia Il.
Donna Latham (Batavia Playwright) has written a wonderful script about Mary Todd Lincoln and her life after the President’s death, including her stay at Bellevue Place in Batavia. The Batavia Arts Council is producing this poignant, funny and heartfelt script October 10, 11, and 12 at The Holmstad auditorium as one of its many fund raising events.
The play is part historical fiction, part pure fiction as Ms. Latham explores the character that was Mary Todd Lincoln, one of history’s most misunderstood political figures. Mary Todd Lincoln was declared a “lunatic” in just ten minutes, by a “sea of men,” without the opportunity to speak on her own behalf. Many of the themes of this play ring true to current political rhetoric, but the character study of Mrs. Lincoln is the heart and soul of this script. We see her grieve over the death of her sons and her husband, we see her blindsided by the trail, and we see her attempting to cope with the burdens of her life, and how she deals with the “ghosts” that haunt her. The play is funny and somber at same time.
“I like to think that I write “dramedy,” states Ms. Latham, who has been on hand at each rehearsal, guiding the story, and adding invaluable pieces of historic information to help the cast with their character development. “It’s been a rewarding experience to work closely with the directors and actors to bring this show to life. Once I gauge audience reactions, I’ll continue to revise and tweak the script.”
The show features the talent of Carrie Schafer (Batavia) as Mary Todd Lincoln. Leigh Tracy (Batavia) is cast as the Judge who sentences Mary to Bellevue. The “sea of men” who were instrumental in her trial include Galen Malek (Bartlett) as Secretary Stanton, her lawyer, played by Matt Heine (Batavia), and her son Robert played by Aaron Berogan (DeKalb). The show opens with the shooting of President Lincoln, played by Kyle Rath (Downers Grove), gunned down by John Wilkes Booth being portrayed by Carl Zeilter (Glen Ellyn). Mary Todd Lincoln’s best friend at this time was her seamstress Elizabeth Keckley, brought to life by Autumn Geist (Lisle). At Bellevue, Mary befriends one of the house staff, Rosalie played by Rachael Bright (Elmhurst), and she travels to downtown Chicago in an effort to speak to her husband beyond the grave. The medium Madame Marvelosa is played by Ben Vargas, with his assistant Zuzu Jones portrayed by Lea May Rivera of Aurora.
Batavia Arts Council is producing the show as one of its many fund raising activities. The Batavia Art Council’s mission is to support artists and art projects in the community, offering grants and scholarships on an annual basis toward that mission.
All Dressed Up costumes is the primary sponsor of this event, donating the costumes for the production.
The Haunted Widow Lincoln will run October 10, 11, and 12 with performances at 8pm on Friday and Saturday evening and 2:00 on Sunday afternoon. Tickets are only $10 each and can be purchased on line at www.bataviaartscouncil.org under the fund raising events tab.The production will be held at The Holmstad, 700 West Fabyan Parkway in Batavia Il.