Everyone knows the story of how President Abraham Lincoln died. But what happened afterward? What became of his eccentric wife, First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln, and their son Robert?
Though not everyone knows it, the tale of their battle of wills is as thrilling as American history gets. In ASYLUM: THE STRANGE CASE OF MARY LINCOLN, writer June Bingham and composer Carmel Owen explore the dark psychological warfare and unique historical conditions that drove Robert Lincoln to have his mother wrongfully committed to an insane asylum. Imprisoned at a time when women had few rights, Mary must draw on all her strength and cleverness, as well as a few courageous friends and the memory of her husband, to fight the system and set herself free. A haunting character study of a strong-willed woman and a dangerous man, ASYLUM makes history come alive.
Cast Requirements: PRINCIPALS
1 Woman
1 Man
FEATURED
3 Men
2 Women
COMMENTS
In the original production, all characters except Mary acted as the ensemble.
CHARACTERS
Mary Lincoln
Robert Lincoln
Doctor Patterson
Abraham Lincoln
Myra Bradwell
Franc Wilkie
Delia
Ensemble – In the original production, all characters except Mary acted as the ensemble. ASYLUM may be performed with or without this doubling.
Set Requirements: ASYLUM: THE STRANGE CASE OF MARY LINCOLN takes place over four and a half months, from May 1875 to mid-September 1975, when Mary Lincoln is institutionalized at Bellevue Asylum in Batavia, Illinois, about 20 miles outside of Chicago.
Settings Include:
Bellevue Asylum
Mary's room at the asylum
Dr. Patterson's office in the asylum
Myra Bradwell's office in Chicago
Meeting of newsmen in Chicago
Memories in Mary's Mind of her sister's home in Springfield, her home with Abraham Lincoln in Springfield, and the court gallery at her trial
Genre / Style: Musical Drama, Historical
Rehearsal / Orchestral Material: Rehearsal Set
20 Libretto-Vocal Book
2 PIANO CONDUCTOR
1 VIOLIN
1 CELLO
Musical Numbers: Mother, I Need You, A National Disgrace, Dear Mr. Lincoln, The Solution, Doctor, Crystal Wisdom, I Remember Him, The Run, Lincoln's Waltz, Someone I Could Love, Warm Mist, Oregon, The Letter, What A Story, Looking At You, It Won't Be Long Now, Easy For You To Be So Noble, Rockabye Child Jesus