PLAY EXPLORES MARY TODD LINCOLN : THE FACTS:.Byline: Victoria Giraud People and Places Abraham Lincoln is one of our most revered presidents, but what about his long-suffering wife, Mary Todd Lincoln? What happened to her after her husband was assassinated as·sas·si·nate tr.v. as·sas·si·nat·ed, as·sas·si·nat·ing, as·sas·si·nates 1. To murder (a prominent person) by surprise attack, as for political reasons. 2. ? ``Look Away,'' currently on the boards at Stage Door in Agoura Hills, provides us with some of the very poignant answers. Gale Trumbeaux portrays Lincoln in an absorbing, finely etched performance, sharing the many facets of an intelligent, highly emotional woman who had more than her share of despair. The astonishing a·ston·ish tr.v. as·ton·ished, as·ton·ish·ing, as·ton·ish·es To fill with sudden wonder or amazement. See Synonyms at surprise. Anzella Victoria gives a dynamic portrayal of Elizabeth Keckley Elizabeth Keckley (1818/19 - 1907) was a former slave who became a seamstress for Mary Todd Lincoln, and subsequently the author of a controversial account of her life with the First Lady. Marriage and Release Later, Lizzie was moved to St. , the former slave who was a devoted companion and seamstress for the first lady during the White House years and remained a loyal friend ever after. In 1868, Keckley wrote ``Behind the Scenes,'' a book defending Lincoln. In 1875, a decade after her husband's assassination Assassination See also Murder. assassins Fanatical Moslem sect that smoked hashish and murdered Crusaders (11th—12th centuries). [Islamic Hist.: Brewer Note-Book, 52] Brutus conspirator and assassin of Julius Caesar. [Br. , Lincoln found herself committed by her oldest and only surviving child, Robert, to an insane asylum in Betavia, Ill. She was put there without representation or the privilege of defending herself. A year later, a hearing was scheduled to determine if Lincoln had recovered her sanity. The play is set in her asylum room the night before her hearing as Mary and Elizabeth Mary and Elizabeth the two pregnant women meet after many years and rejoice. [N.T.: Luke 1:39–56] See : Reunion have an imaginary conversation about the circumstances of her incarceration Confinement in a jail or prison; imprisonment. Police officers and other law enforcement officers are authorized by federal, state, and local lawmakers to arrest and confine persons suspected of crimes. The judicial system is authorized to confine persons convicted of crimes. and the events that led up to it. The play reveals the personality and feelings of both women as they talk of the White House years, the Years, The the seven decades of Eleanor Pargiter’s life. [Br. Lit.: Benét, 1109] See : Time deaths of the three Lincoln sons and Mary Todd Lincoln's trauma (she is accused of weeping excessively) in dealing with them. As Mary herself heart-wrenchingly reflects, ``I may be foolish and old, but I am not mad.'' Elizabeth's struggles come out in their conversation as well. A self-made woman, she had been a slave for 30 years, had a son by a white man and then through her own dressmaking talents had finally managed to buy freedom for herself and her son. The play reflects history on a very personal level. Scratch the surface of history and we find much the same turmoil as well as the same things that make us happy at any time. WHAT: ``Look Away,'' by Jerome Kilty Jerome Kilty (born 1922, Pala Indian Reservation, California) is an actor and playwright. He is best known for writing the hit Broadway play Dear Liar: A Comedy of Letters, based on the correspondence of famed playwright George Bernard Shaw and actress Mrs. WHEN: 8 p.m. Thursday, 8:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday; April 20-26. WHERE: Stage Door, 28311 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills COST: $11 Saturday; other days $9. Dinner at Casa Rea restaurant and show Thursday and Sunday, $14. INFORMATION: (818) 889-5209 |
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