Audition Dates for Drama Circle World Premier of "Lincoln: The Musical" Announced

The first reading of the Emancipation Proclamation before the cabinet.Painted by F.B. Carpenter ; engraved by A.H. Ritchie, c1866.(Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division. Reproduction Number: LC-USZ62-2070 DLC)

Audition Dates for "Lincoln: The Musical" Announced for Saturdays January 14 and 21 

Auditions for the Drama Circle World Premier of "Lincoln: the Musical" by Michael P. Riccards will be held on Saturdays, January 14 and 21, 2012 between 3:00 and 5:00 PM at The Dance Studio, 5 South Main Street in Orange, Massachusetts.  Genevieve Fraser, the artistic director of the Drama Circle will serve as the producer/director of the production which is scheduled for the weekend prior to the 4th of July, which falls on a Wednesday, and the weekend following the July 4th holiday. 

Scripts are available for review at reference desks in libraries in the towns of Orange as well as Athol, Barre, Gardner, Greenfield, New Salem and Petersham.  The music for "Lincoln: The Musical" is from the Civil War era.  

First Draft of the Emancipation Proclamation.
Abraham Lincoln.
July 22, 1862.
The Robert Todd Lincoln Family Papers,
Manuscript Division.

Plans also call for readings of  Civil War diaries and letters from the lost Quabbin towns and towns throughout the region as well as reenactment activities, including a possible Civil War parade.  Along with actors, musicians, singers and Civil War reenactors, volunteers are needed to serve on the steering committee.  Planning sessions will be held at the Swift River Valley Historical Society in North New Salem, Massachusetts.  The commemorative readings are also planned for the Orange Town Hall.

Michael P. Riccards, the author of "Lincoln: The Musical" is the Executive Director of the Hall Institute of Public Policy in New Jersey.  He is the author or editor of 15 books, and has a forthcoming study of the ten greatest American presidents titled "Destiny's Consul."  He has been a college president at three colleges including Fitchburg State; his wife Barbara has taught at Gardner High School, and their daughter, Abigail, a jazz singer in New York City and Chicago, is a graduate of Gardner High School.  He was the chair of the Abraham Bicentennial Commission in New Jersey.

Organizations, businesses or individuals wishing to help sponsor the play or other 150th Anniversary Civil War commemorative activities should make tax deductible contributions out to "CF Pals - Drama Circle," 1 South Main Street, Orange, MA 01364.  In-kind donations are also gratefully accepted.

For further information, or to volunteer or serve as a sponsor, please contact Genevieve Fraser at Tel. (978) 544-1872, or email: FraserGenevieve@gmail.com or visit the website: http://www.thedramacircle.blogspot.com