World Premier of “Lincoln: The Musical” July 7 in Orange

General Scott and Secretary of State Seward

World Premier of “Lincoln: The Musical” July 7 in Orange

The world premier of "Lincoln: The Musical" by Dr. Michael Riccards, with songs from the Civil War era, will open Saturday, July 7 at 7:00 pm at the Orange Town Hall, 6 Prospect Street, Orange, Massachusetts.  The play is produced by The Drama Circle and directed by Genevieve Fraser.  

Additional performances are scheduled for Sunday, July 8 at 2:00 pm, Saturday, July 14 at 7:00 pm and Sunday, July 15 at 2 pm.  A reception for Dr. Riccards will be held immediately following the opening night performance. All performances are free of charge and open to the public.  Any donations will be used toward a light and sound system for the the Orange Town Hall Ruth B. Smith Auditorium.

“Lincoln: The Musical” chronicles the Lincoln family’s entry into Washington DC.  The new president is determined to lead the nation into an era of prosperity. But soon, hope turns to despair as the American Civil War commences – “a small skirmish” that quickly leads to a nightmare that engulfs the president, his family, aides, generals, his cabinet and the nation.  Intertwined with the family and political crisis is the drama unfolding at a Washington DC tavern frequented by soldiers, members of Congress and an actor by the name of John Wilkes Booth. Following the Emancipation Proclamation and the Cause of the Union’s triumph, Booth plots to take action.

Dr. Michael Riccards, the author of "Lincoln: The Musical" is a political scientist, writer, and professor.  Riccards has been the president of three American colleges and has written extensively on public policy, the American political process, and the history of the American presidency. His book The Ferocious Engine of Democracy was praised by President Bill Clinton.  He currently serves as executive director of the Hall Institute for Public Policy in New Jersey.  The director, Genevieve Fraser holds a BA and MFA  in Theater and Writing.

The part of Abraham Lincoln is played by Chuck Berube, Mary Todd Lincoln by Sally Howe and Willie Lincoln, their young son, by Brian Johnson.  Nancy Hanks (Abe’s mother) is performed by Charlene Deam, John Wilkes Booth by Charles Tower, General Winfield Scott by Tim Waite, Senator Cotesbury Butterworth  by Jack Arnot, Secretary of State Seward by Philip Hubbard, John Hay – Lincoln’s aide – by Noah Dawson, and President James Buchanan by Barry Robichaud.  Issac is Luke Meunier,

Rose is performed by Emily Lapinskas, the barmaid is Joyce Sawyer and Mrs. Laurey is played by Genevieve Fraser.  Tim Waite also plays the manager of Ford Theater Manger.  The cast of “My American Cousin,” the play the Lincolns had come to see at Ford Theater at the time of the assassination includes Joyce Sawyer, Emily Lapinskas and Barry Robichaud.  The railroad conductor is performed by Andrew Tower and the soldiers by William Johnson, Daniel Boucher, David Farnum and Ethan Doiron-LaRue.  The town women are Vicky Graw and Doreen Gallien.  The Inside Out Dance Company also performs.  The pianist is Deborah Kent.

 “Lincoln: The Musical” is sponsored by the Drama Circle, the Performing Arts Division of Art for Life - CF Pals, and is funded, in part, by Heyes Forest Products, the Miller’s River Café and a grant from the Orange Cultural Council. 

For further information, contact the artistic director of the Drama Circle, Genevieve Fraser at Tel. (978) 544-1872 or visit website: quabbincivilwar.blogspot.com

Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War Orange, Massachusetts July 4 - 15, 2012

Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War

Orange, Massachusetts

Quabbin Civil War Remembrance

July 4^th 2012

“Lincoln: The Musical”

By Michael Riccards

July 7 – 8  & 14 - 15

Civil War Reproduction Quilt Contest Exhibit

July 4 – 15

Free Admission to all events

“Lincoln: The Musical” is sponsored by the Drama Circle, the Performing Arts Division of Art for Life - CF Pals, and is funded, in part, by Heyes Forest Products, the Miller’s River Café and a grant from the Orange Cultural Council.  For further information, contact Genevieve Fraser at

Tel. (978) 544-1872 or visit website: quabbincivilwar.blogspot.com

Quabbin Civil War Remembrance - July 4^th 2012

#1 Orange Gun Club - Oldest charted gun club in Massachusetts

357 West River Street, Orange, MA

9:30    – Black Powder Shoot

11:00  – Antique Fire Arms display and discussion with Terry Whitney

12:30  -  Civil War game stew and chicken bar-b-que - $15

              Call Mark Kovalsick for reservations Tel. 978-467-6076

Music with Ken Levine and friends

15^th Massachusetts Infantry Civil War demonstrations

Living Heritage Farmer and Artisan Market

#2 Orange Town Hall – Ruth B. Smith Auditorium

6 Prospect Street, Orange, MA

2:00 – 8:30

Civil War Remembrances

          Abe Lincoln, Lucius Spooner - 19^th century Petersham farmer

          Mark Twain’s “The Campaign That Failed” with Tim Waite

Civil War stories, group discussions & readings from Civil War era diaries and letters – all invited to participate

Music with Ken Levine and friends

Quilt Exhibit & Living Heritage Farmer and Artisan Market

#3 Orange Historical Society & Museum

41 North Main Street, Orange, MA (2 doors up from Town Hall)

2:00 – 4:00 Tea

5:00 – Dinner and “Tin Type Show and Tell”

“Lincoln: The Musical”

(Civil War era songs)

By Michael Riccards

Directed by Genevieve Fraser

Orange Town Hall, 6 Prospect Street, Orange, MA

Saturday, July 7 at 7:00 & Sunday, July 8 at 2:00

 Saturday, July 14 at 7:00 and Sunday, July 15 at 2:00

July 15^th Quilter reception 6:00 pm at the Orange Historical Society

“Lincoln: The Musical” chronicles the Lincoln family’s entry into Washington DC.  The new president is determined to lead the nation into an era of prosperity as he sings Foster’s “Hard Times Come Again No More.” But soon, hope turns to despair as the War Between the States commences – “a small skirmish” that quickly leads to a nightmare that engulfs the president, his family, aides, generals, his cabinet and the nation.  Intertwined with the family and political crisis is the drama unfolding at a Washington DC tavern frequented by soldiers, members of Congress and an actor by the name of John Wilkes Booth. Following the Emancipation Proclamation and the Cause of the Union’s triumph, Booth plots to take action.

Act 1

Ford Theater

Flashback - Little Pigeon Creek settlement, Indiana

Washington DC Train Station

President’s Office at the White House

Washington Tavern

Battlefield

President’s Office

Intermission

Act 2

Washington Tavern

Willie Lincoln’s bedroom

President’s Office

Living Room at the White House

Washington Tavern

Ford Theater

“LINCOLN: THE MUSICAL” DRAMATIS PERSONAE

Abraham Lincoln                                          Chuck Berube

Mary Todd Lincoln                                      Sally Howe

Willie Lincoln                                                Brian Johnson

Nancy Hanks (Abe’s mother)                       Charlene Deam

John Wilkes Booth                                        Charles Tower

General Winfield Scott                                 Tim Waite

Senator Cotesbury Butterworth                  Jack Arnot

Secretary of State Seward                            Philip Hubbard

John Hay – Lincoln aide                               Noah Dawson

John Nicholay – Lincoln aide                       David Farnum

President James Buchanan                          Barry Robichaud

Issac                                                                Luke Meunier

Rose                                                                Julie Graziano

Barmaid                                                         Joyce Sawyer

Mrs. Laurey                                                   Genevieve Fraser

Ford Theater Manger                                   Robert Mathews

Cast of “My American Cousin”                  Joyce Sawyer

                                                                        Emily Lapinskas

                                                                        Barry Robichaud

Conductor                                                      Andrew Tower

Soldiers                                                           William Johnson

Ethan Doran LaRue

                                                                        Daniel Boucher

Town women                                                 Vicky Graw

                                                                        Doreen Gallien

Inside Out Dance Company

Pianist                                                             Deborah Kent

Costumes                                                        Vicky Graw & Deborah Kent

Technical Director                                        Tim Waite

SPECIAL THANKS

Michael & Barbara Riccards                       Donald “Spin” Ainsworth

Town of Orange                                            Select Board                                      

Miller’s River Café                                       Kris Burns & Jeanie Miller

Bruce’s Browsers                                          Diane Lincoln

Swift River Valley Historical Society           Elizabeth Peirce

Halloween Costume World                          Barbara Hanno & Sally Howe                    

Mahar Regional High School                       Fred Heyes

The Dance Studio                                          Brenda Cromwell Hall

Workers Credit Union                                  Orange Gun Club

North Quabbin Woods                                 Kirby Lecy & Nancy Blackmer

Orange Historical Society                             Linda Temple

North Quabbin Antiques                              Brenda Piro

Paul Robichaud                                             Phil and Ivana Hubbard

Lisa DeWitt                                                    David Belcher

Ingrid Whitten & Ames Trophy                  15^th Massachusetts Civil War Infantry

Orange Cultural Council                              Jim Rich & Mark Kovalsick