News

Abe published by Samuel French

Even before it's first performance, the musical was announced by Samuel French in its list of January 2009 acquisitions.
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Abe plays historic site that was Lincoln's stomping ground

The New Salem State Historic Site is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state of Illinois. There has been a performance component on the property, in a location known as Kelso Hollow, since 1918.
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Abe premieres in town where Lincoln spoke

Eight days after the February 12 bicentennial anniversary of the 1809 birth of Abraham Lincoln, a new musical about the 16th U.S. President's early life, gets its world premiere in Quincy, IL
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Roger AndersonPre-orchestration demos

Performed by the composer

Preview orchestrations here.

Lee GoldsmithFrom the Playwright

Abe is written for a simple, open and easily re-configured scenic design that allows for speedy transitions from scene to scene. The symbolic and literal idea of construction is interesting to us as suggested in Scene 2 where the set is assembled or finished during “Fifteen Houses” with similar scenic fulfillment throughout Act One; deconstruction being illustrated during Act Two. Abe and Mary should be in as stark a setting as possible in the final moments of the play, accompanied by the unresolved musical Processional Theme. In addition, the two non-speaking African-American dancers should be utilized throughout the play as practical participants and symbolic witnesses to events.