The Memoirs of Abraham Lincoln

Most people have a favorite president and my favorite is Abraham Lincoln. What a fascinating study of a man. He was self- taught, awkward, articulate, raised in a log cabin, guided the country through the American Civil War, and was assassinated for his trouble. His picture is on our currency and he has an impressive monument in Washington D.C. dedicated to his presidency.

Several actors have seen fit to portray this gangly giant including Henry Fonda (Abe Lincoln in Illinois), Raymond Massey (Dream West and others), Walter Huston (Abraham Lincoln) to name but a few.  It’s really a “dream role” for any actor. Luckily one of my favorite actors, Grandville Van Dusen (what a presidential name) has chosen to present a one-man show The Memoirs of Abraham Lincoln during this presidential election season.

The play was written by Peter King Beach and originally directed by Delbert Mann and here redirected by Jenny Sullivan. The premise is that Lincoln has come back to “set the record straight”.  Here Lincoln tells us what losers many of his generals were and sings the praises of Robert E. Lee whom he has asked to be the commander of the U.S. Forces until the South succeeded. It becomes evident that it is a miracle that the North ever won.

Lincoln also tells us of his deep love for his wife Mary Todd , the true love of his life. She had her emotional problems but they were exacerbated after Lincoln’s death by the refusal of the government to give her a pension. Lincoln was the person with even graver problems, suffering from depression most of his life and Mary was his savior. However, judging from this play we only catch a glimpse of Lincoln’s moodiness. We are rather treated to a compulsive storyteller who delights in recounting tales of the West, politics, and his own foibles. Van Dusen also gives us a thrilling rendition of the Gettysburg Address. His performance is masterful throughout.  The play ends with Lincoln getting ready to go to the theatre where he will be cut down by an assassin’s bullet. Through March 2 at The Falcon Theatre in Burbank.