A Lincoln play that begins at the end
Lincoln Presidential Library presents ‘The Last Full Measure,’ a new play that begins at the moment Abraham Lincoln is shot

[November 04, 2014]  SPRINGFIELD – A new, one-act play that takes the audience into the mind of Abraham Lincoln after he has been shot by John Wilkes Booth will premiere Nov. 13 at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

“The Last Full Measure” by Illinois author Ken Bradbury will be performed four times, Thursday, Nov. 13, through Sunday, Nov. 16. Special musical performances will begin each show: The Four Sopranos on Thursday and Saturday, singer/composer Ben Bedford on Friday, and the 1st Illinois Regimental Cavalry Band on Sunday.

The nation’s leading Lincoln interpreter, actor Richard “Fritz” Klein, will portray the dying president. He has starred in many productions at the presidential library, including “The Heavens Are Hung in Black” in 2012.

The play begins just after Booth’s bullet has hit President Lincoln and takes place over those next few hours, as Lincoln begins to understand what has happened and takes stock of his life.

“We are interested in seeing Lincoln onstage in different ways,” said director Phil Funkenbusch. “Ken Bradbury has written a fascinating and moving piece of theater that takes us on a journey with Lincoln, in an almost dreamlike performance piece. We plan to continue offering occasional performances of the play as we do with our popular ‘One Destiny’.”

Performances in the presidential museum’s Union Theater begin at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Admission will be charged and tickets may be purchased online at bit.ly/ALPLMCalendar or by calling [phone].

Scenic and technical design is by Sam Cooper; lighting design by Jeff Nevins; and music and sound design by Mark Caspary.

[Chris Wills, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum]