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Tall, gaunt and bearded, with Lincoln's characteristic modesty and self-effacing humor, Michael Fox Kennedy gives a convincing
portrayal of our sixteenth president in "Even we here..," a one-man show. I saw it in April and was transfixed.
Abraham Lincoln, in books and on stage, is good for the soul.
---- Marty Jezer, Brattleboro Reformer, June 27, 2003
Michael performed before a sold-out audience of 200 and his brilliant performance kept the audience riveted throughout
and prompted a spontaneous standing ovation when it was finished. Mr. Kennedy not only looks like Lincoln but he also manages
to capture all of the majesty, humor, and complexity of this fascinating American... I am also very impressed with the way
Mr. Kennedy structured his play by contrasting great moments in history with mundane aspects of Lincoln's presidency and personal
life. The result is a nuanced and complex portrait full of pathos, courage, eloquence, and lyricism.
---- James David Moran, American Antiquarian Society
As Michael Kennedy presents him, Lincoln's firm adherence to first principles proves to be inspiring, uplifting and, dare
I say it, relevant. Michael's diction is clear, and his voice rings with the kind of timbre we associate with the eloquence
of a bygone age. His physical presence is an uncanny replica of our famous president. He has a firm command of the stage and
of the audience... We were very pleased that we had the good sense to book "Even we here..," and our audience was
captivated. I hope to see Michael playing all over New England in the coming years. It's a show that truly deserves to be
seen.
---- Douglas Anderson, Director, Town Hall Theater, Middlebury, VT
It is a testament to [Kennedy's] transformative capabilities that you stop thinking about the performance and believe
you're actually witnessing Lincoln. Many of us who saw the piece came away thinking about Lincoln, the man, his times, and
his relevance (on many levels) for today... Audiences seemed moved and inspired by the work.
---- Richard Epstein, President, Wild Root Arts, Brattleboro, VT
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Lincoln's Own Words
The language of "Even we here..." comes from Lincoln's personal letters, recorded remarks, speeches, wartime messages,
and other sources. Forceful and vivid, with great variety of mood and tone, it evokes Lincoln's tenderness, indignation, humor,
grief, defiance, and passionate eloquence. While the play often touches on Lincoln's personal life as a husband and father,
it focuses primarily on his rise from obscurity in Illinois, his struggle against slavery, and his ordeal in the Civil War.
In the end, Lincoln's words of hope survive the assassin's bullet.
Audience Appeal
"Even we here..." appeals to a broad range of adult theatergoers, whether knowledgeable about history and theater
or with little experience of either. Young people interested in history or theater are equally engaged.
"Even we here..." is an exciting hour and a half of theater. It can be presented with or without intermission.
A somewhat shorter version is also available.
The play is suitable for inclusion in theater series, community arts or humanities programs, historical society gatherings,
and college and school programs. It is adaptable to almost any performance space, from fully equipped theaters to library
and community meeting halls.
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