Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum News


	For Immediate Release: January 25, 2007	Contact: Jill Burwitz (217) 558-8970 office (217) 299-6165 cell
	The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum Presents Reunion — A Musical Epic in Miniature The hit musical returns for six performances in Union Theater Springfield, Ill. The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum (ALPLM) announced today that Reunion — A Musical Epic in Miniature, will return to the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum's Union Theater for six performances. The musical first debuted at the ALPLM last spring with six shows at capacity crowds. Set on April 14, 1890, twenty-five years to the day of Lincoln's death, Reunion is a musical play about a troupe of actors who are performing a show about Lincoln and the Civil War. The musical is an attempt to tell the story of the Civil War through the eyes of those who took up the Union cause — an intersection of theater and history, weaving together songs, visual images and dialogue. The musical's script is written by Jack Kyrieleison from a story by Kyrieleison and Ron Holgate, with traditional music from the period arranged by Michael O'Flaherty. Kyrieleison scripted the play from actual speeches, letters, diaries, military orders — all written by men and women who were there. Their experience is woven into a powerful presentation. The musical premiered at the Goodspeed Opera House in Connecticut (under the title "Battle Cry of Freedom") in 1996, and with its new title was subsequently produced off-Broadway in New York in 1999 and Ford's Theatre in Washington, D.C. in 2000. Making up the cast of six are: Greg Donathan, Ed MacMurdo, Brittney McLaughlin, Kevin Purcell, Traci Shaw and Mike Wallace. The ALPLM's Phil Funkenbusch and Ed MacMurdo will stage the play, which will run in the 240-seat Union Theater Feb. 23-25 and March 2-4. Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays; 6:00 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets go on sale to the public Monday, Jan. 29. Tickets are priced at $15 for adults and $12 for children. Foundation members receive a special price of $12 for adults and $10 for children. For tickets, call 217-558-8934. This event is co-sponsored by IHPA, the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation. ###