Theater Review: Three Summers of Lincoln

This seems to be the year for U.S. history, especially the bloody, messy kind.

La Jolla Playhouse started it last week with the opening of the new musical “Three Summers of Lincoln,” which runs through March 25 at the Playhouse’s Mandell Weiss Theatre. Christopher Ashley directs the show.

This play, covering 1862-1864, describes the Civil War and how President Lincoln eventually ended it with help from abolitionist (and former slave) Frederick Douglass. 

It took only three meetings between the two men, but this version offers much more than that — a score that blends gospel, R&B and powerhouse anthems, and lots of dancing by a fine ensemble of 13 singers/dancers.

The music starts in 1862 with the company singing and dancing to “Ninety Day War,” which prepares the audience for a different interpretation of the event many think of as a literally bloody mess. 

President Lincoln (Ivan Hernandez, who actually resembles Lincoln) is frustrated by the fighting that has resulted in no wins. But as Joe DiPietro’s play progresses he will slowly shift from a rule-bound lawyer to a rule breaker and change-maker who sings “a liberal relies on ‘later’ but a radical shouts ‘now!’”

Abolitionist Frederick Douglass (played and sung brilliantly by Quentin Earl Darrington) is annoyed, too, that the fighting isn’t over. But how to end it?

They will end it when they get together and decide that it’s enough, already, of the fighting. That will happen a bit over two hours later, after both men have pushed each other to end it.

Douglass’ children — son Lewis (Magic Mosely) and daughter Rosetta (Naomi Tiana Rodgers) are also in the cast, as are Lincoln’s wife Mary (Carmen Cusack), her friend and dressmaker Elizabeth (Saigon Sengloh) and his valet William (John-Andrew Morrison).

There are some great scenes in this show, such as the song in which Mary Todd Lincoln helps Union soldiers write letters home, and another late in the show in which Douglass and Lincoln sing about how pleasantly surprised they were about each other as people.

Oh, and I mustn’t forget that pompous General George B. McClellan (played hilariously by Eric Anderson), who is a comic gem.

The score by Crystal Monee Hall is full of ensemble numbers, with many excellent lyrics. Some even use Lincoln and Douglass’ words. And choreographers John Rua and Daniel J. Watts have created evocative, sometimes African-inspired dances.

It all works together brilliantly. It looks great, sounds great, offers a terrific cast and settings. It’s a show not to be missed.

The details

“3 Summers of Lincoln” plays through April 6 at La Jolla Playhouse’s Mandell Weiss Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive in La Jolla.

Ticket prices: $30-137

For information or tickets: (858) 550-1010 or lajollaplayhouse.org

Theater Review: What The Constitution Means to Me

Whoa, this is a play like no other, speedy and fascinating and exhausting all at once. And how can there be a play about the U.S. Constitution that does all that and keeps you utterly enthralled at the same time?

Don’t ask, just get a ticket and get up there to North Coast Repertory Theatre, where you’ll see Jacque Wilke* take on the role of Heidi, an American woman who took it upon herself to analyze the U.S. Constitution almost word by word. 

David Ellenstein, NCRT’s artistic director, writes in his intro that writer Heidi Schreck took about ten years to write the play, performing it first on Broadway in New York in 2019, where he reports that it “took the city by storm” and became a Pulitzer Prize finalist.

It certainly fascinated the NCRT audience, especially this person who was lucky enough to get a second-row seat.

The most important word in the show is “shall,” which is used many times, and what comes after that word is what this show is all about. 

If you’re a woman, you know that “not” is one of the many words that often follow “shall,” and this show will tell you many of them that later became part of the U.S. Constitution.

On the way, woman’s right to choose will be discussed, as will “equal protection under the law” and the “due process” clause. There will be talk about mandatory and discretionary requirements.

Wilke shares the stage with Andrew Oswald, who plays the Legionnaire and shares the stage with her (from the other side). But mostly he just sits there and watches her talk. And she does it brilliantly.

Later, we will meet two young debaters, played by Genevieve Tai and EM Dance, who will amuse us with their own debate.

“What The Constitution Means To Me” is a terrific play. Don’t miss it.