Oscar-winning ‘Lincoln’ inspired trip:

Lincoln’s legacy lives on in Indiana

 LINCOLN CITY, IN—-Abraham Lincoln grew up in Indiana.

In 1816, Thomas, Nancy, Sarah, and Abraham Lincoln moved from their home in Kentucky to the new state of Indiana. The nation’s 16^th president lived in a one-room log cabin from the time he was seven until the age of 21.  In Indiana, he studied by candlelight, received his one-year of formal education, took two flatboat trips to New Orleans, and suffered the great losses of both his beloved mother and sister.

In the land of Indiana’s Lincoln sits a 1500-seat, covered amphitheatre named for the 16^th president himself, Lincoln Amphitheatre. Built in the 1980s, the community visionaries behind the building of the amphitheatre wanted to tell the little known story of Lincoln’s Indiana years to the nation through theatre. During the summer months, visitors can witness those stories come to life in the outdoor musical drama A.Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale.A. Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale is written and directed by Ken Jones, the resident playwright for Northern Kentucky University. Jones hopes audiences not only will enjoy the theatrical spectacle of the large dance and choral numbers, but walk away with a sense of joy and pride that a young pioneer boy could grow up to be one of the greatest leaders of all time.

“Our 16th President was homegrown in Indiana.  I feel that we all know a lot about the President Lincoln, the civil war leader… but there are so many stories of the boy.  I learned so many things about Abe's friends and family, and I believe that those friends and family sculpted this great leader,” Jones said.

President Lincoln acts as the narrator in A.Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale. The production begins with a scene between President Lincoln and his two boys Willie and Tad. His two sons begin to ask their father questions about his Indiana boyhood years.  As President Lincoln starts to answer his sons’ questions, the scene fades and his stories come to life on the very grounds they took place.

A.Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale runs June 7 to June 29, Wednesday through Saturday evenings with matinees on Sunday, June 16 and Wednesday, June 26. Tickets for the production are currently on sale at www.LincolnAmphitheatre.org or through the box office at 800-264-4ABE.           

Lincoln Amphitheatre to host auditions for Lincoln musical

LINCOLN CITY, IND.—-Auditions for the second season of Lincoln Amphitheatre’s A. Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale will take place in February.

Lincoln Amphitheatre will host two auditions for its signature piece A. Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale, a two-act musical about President Lincoln's Indiana boyhood years. It is directed by Ken Jones.

Lincoln City, Indiana: Auditions will be held at Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial’s Nancy Hanks Hall, 2916 E South St., Friday, February 15 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. CST and Saturday, February 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. CST.

A. Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale will feature a cast of approximately 32 members with additional extra roles. There are roles for children ages ten and older and adult roles available. Interested actors and dancers do not need to set up an appointment, but should block out the full three hours scheduled for auditions. Lincoln Amphitheatre will be auditioning for singing, non-singing, extra, and dancer only roles. All roles being casted are paid positions, and housing will be available if needed. Persons should contact Lincoln Amphitheatre for further assistance if they are interested in auditioning and unable to attend one of the two dates.

Singing roles: Interested actors should prepare and bring sheet music for a musical theatre song. A pianist will be present.

All non-singing and extra roles: Interested actors should prepare and bring a one minute monologue from any play. Actors will also be asked to read from the script.

Dancer only: Interested dancers should prepare a one minute dance and bring a CD.

A. Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale is a two-act musical play enhanced with ten original songs and score about Abraham Lincoln’s journey from an Indiana pioneer to President of the United States. Abraham Lincoln lived in southern Indiana from the ages of seven to 21. Lincoln Amphitheatre is located on the grounds Lincoln grew up.

A. Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale will run June 7 – June 29, Wednesday – Saturday evenings with matinees on Sunday, June 16 and Wednesday, June 26. Season tickets for Lincoln Amphitheatre's theatrical season (A.Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale, Godspell, and Macbeth) are currently on sale at the discounted rate of $40 a person until Tuesday, February 12. Individual tickets for A.Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale will go on sale Tuesday, February 12.

For more information about auditions and Lincoln Amphitheatre’s 2013 season, call 1-800-264-4ABE or visit www.LincolnAmphitheatre.org.

###

LINCOLN CITY, IND.— Lincoln Amphitheatre ‘s 2013 lineup includes the second season of A. Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale along with other theatrical productions, concerts, and a Halloween event.

“We want to continue to serve our guests with a full season of event offerings from April to October,” says Dan Wilkinson, executive director for the 1500-seat, covered Lincoln Amphitheatre.  “Our guests responded very positively to our 2012 season and told us clearly that they enjoyed the quality and variety of our productions.  Our 2013 season is designed to continue to provide our audiences with multiple opportunities to be enriched and entertained.“

Celtic Spring Song and Dance

The season will kick off in April with a Celtic-themed concert titled Celtic Spring Song and Dance. It will feature the Louisville-based four-piece Celtic band Guilderoy Byrne along with Kentucky’s Rose of Tralee Annie Wright and the McTeggart Irish Dancers for two performances, 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. CDT on April 14.

Tales and Scales presents Mice!

The Evansville-based Tales and Scales performing group will present Mice! Based on the Aesop’s Fable Council of Mice, Mice! tells the story of three mice and their quest to rid themselves of a frightening problem—the farmer’s new pet cat. Tales and Scales will perform twice on May 19, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. CDT, and conduct a behind-the-scenes workshop at 3 p.m. CDT.

A.Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale

Lincoln Amphitheatre’s signature piece A. Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale will take the stage for its second season in June.

This two-act musical drama written and directed by Ken Jones tells President Lincoln’s Indiana boyhood story through theatre, song, and spectacle. A. Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale will educate and entertain audiences through Lincoln’s journey from Indiana pioneer to President of the United States.

A.Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale will premiere its second season at Lincoln Amphitheatre on Friday, June 7 and run Wednesday to Saturday evenings until June 29 with matinees on Sunday, June 16 and Wednesday, June 26. Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. CDT and matinees at 2 p.m. CDT.

Godspell

The Evansville Civic Theatre and Lincoln Amphitheatre will partner for the third consecutive season in producing the Broadway classic Godspell.

Godspell derives from the Gospel According to St. Matthew and is presented in a series of skits and songs with Jesus and his disciples presented as loving clowns. This musical features a musical score of 16 songs by Stephen Schwartz.

Godspell will run Wednesday-Saturday evenings beginning on Friday, July 19 to Saturday, August 3 with one matinee on Sunday, August 4. Evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m. CDT and the matinee at 2 p.m. CDT.

Macbeth

Lincoln Amphitheatre will host the National Players production of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth.  Macbeth is not only one of William Shakespeare’s most renowned tragedies, but also President Lincoln’s favorite play.

The National Players presentation of Macbeth will take to Lincoln Amphitheatre’s stage for two performances, September 13 and 14 at 7:30 p.m. CDT.

Trail of Terror

Lincoln Amphitheatre will partner with the Friends of Lincoln State Park for the third annual Trail of Terror.  This haunted maze features an array of fright each year in the surrounding woods of Lincoln State Park.  The Trail of Terror tours will run 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. CDT on October 12, 19, and 26.

An optional homestyle buffet meal will be available for purchase to all of Lincoln Amphitheatre’s event offerings except for the Trail of Terror.  Guests must make meal reservations at least three days in advance.

Season tickets on sale January 7

Season tickets for Lincoln Amphitheatre’s 2013 theatrical season (A.Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale, Godspell, and Macbeth) go on sale January 7.  Season tickets purchased before February 12 are $40 a person for individuals ages seven and up. After February 12, the price goes up to $43. Subscribers will also have the option to purchase meal season tickets at the price of $30 a person, a savings of $6.

For more information about Lincoln Amphitheatre’s 2013 season, visit www.LincolnAmphitheatre.org or call 800-264-4223.

###