Abe, The Musical

August 14 - 16 & 20 - 23, 2009
By Lee Goldsmith and Roger Anderson
Directed by Elizabeth Buttell

NEW MUSICAL. The play covers the life of Abraham Lincoln from his earliest attempts at self-improvement through his election to the presidency of an already fracturing United States.

Biographies:

Liz ButtellElizabeth Buttell: As an aspiring director, I am more than thrilled to be given the chance to direct “Abe” at TIP for the 2009 season. I have an AA in Liberal Arts and my BA in Theater, but my love for theater is deep seeded and I plan to eventually get my Master’s degree so one day I can teach others this amazing art. My experience in theater ranges from performing in over 30 productions in the past 10 years, to working backstage for numerous productions at SIUC, to constructing props, sets, costumes, etc., to rewiring and operating the lights, and the list goes on! I have taken voice lessons from 3 different teachers including Kim Peterson-Quinn, Linda Buffington, and Jeanine Wagner. I spent two years at Lincoln College in Lincoln, IL and performed in 7 shows while there. I was a member and choreographer for the women’s group Sophistikatz and was the manager for the nationally known show choir Express run by Bill and Linda Bufffington. I learned more about acting here than anywhere else from Jerry Dellinger, Dan McLaughlin, and Tom Quinn. During this time I also was an Assistant Coach for the Lincoln Community High School Speech Team, it was here that I discovered a love for directing. I then went on to do my final two years of college at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale and realized what a HUGE world theater truly is. I was exposed to every single element that makes a production come together and loved each element as its own separate entity. My final year at SIU, I concentrated on taking directing classes and felt right at home. I have directed small scale productions in black box theaters and theater in the round up until this point and I cannot wait to share my experiences and present my interpretation of “Abe, The Musical” to the audiences at TIP in 2009. - Liz "Betsy" Buttell

Lee Goldsmith (Book/Lyrics) enjoyed an early career with National Comics scripting stories for The Green Lantern, Wonder Woman and The Flash.  He adapted several projects for the stage, writing book and lyrics. These include Sheba (based on William Inge's "Come Back Little Sheba") with music by Clint Ballard, Golddiggers of 1633 (based on "School for Wives") with music by Larry Hurwit.  His ground-breaking musical "Sextet" opened on Broadway in 1974.  Other projects include "Quality Street" (based on the J. M. Barrie play) Ladykiller (inspired by works of Cornell Woolrich) and Shine! The Horatio Alger Musical.

Roger Anderson (Music) is the composer of Chaplin, A Memory As Entertainment, written with mentors Lee Goldsmith and Emmy award-winning writer Ernest Kinoy. Chaplin was the original musical about the great comedian and was honored with the prestigious Carbonell Award.  It had its UK premiere in 2007. Roger also wrote the music for Shine! The Horatio Alger Musical which was selected by Martin Charnin as the winner of the Broadway USA Award. Recent projects include Ladykiller with playwright Chuck Blasius, Flying Tigers with playwright William Luce and lyricist Kenneth Jones and incidental music for Two Spoons, produced by Other Side Productions in NYC.  Roger is a native of Louisiana but a New York City resident since a student in the mid-1970s.  He studied at the University of Southern California and The Juilliard School of Music.  UPCOMING: Ghost Tour (a musical telling of six hauntings)

Auditions:

NEEDED: At least 5 more men to fill assorted speaking parts and round out an even chorus. Robert Lincoln - age 14-18 Willie Lincoln - age 10-14, contact Liz Buttell at b_buttell@hotmail.com.

  • Ensemble chorus of townspeople and singers with 33 speaking roles. 
  • Strong singers required for baritone, soprano, mezzo-soprano, and 3 male children singing roles, too.
  • Please utilize the dance auditions.
  • Please prepare a song, preferably from the show, visit www.abethemusical.com for sheet music.

Songs:
If you are auditioning for a role, please download the following music in PDF format.

Men's roles:
Roles are ranging from  age 6 to 76! A hearty chorus is much needed. Diversity welcome!
There are MANY other men's parts, these are the major ones and everyone will be included in the chorus.
 
ABE: The honest one, 20-30's, STRONG singer - baritone/tenor
MENTOR GRAHAM: schoolteacher, 30's-70's, singing a plus
JIM RUTLEDGE: tavern owner, 40's - 60's, singing a plus
DENTON OFFUTT: storekeeper, 40's - 70's, singing a plus
JACK ARMSTRONG: rowdy, late teen's - 20's, singing a plus
NINIAN EDWARDS: Springfield politician, 30's - 50's, singing a plus but not neccessary
BILLY HERNDON: young lawyer, Abe's partner, 20's - 30's, STRONG singer, baritone
ABE'S SONS--
ROBERT LINCOLN: (16) 15-20, some singing
WILLIE LINCOLN: (10) 9-15, some singing
TAD LINCOLN: (7) 6-9, some singing

Women's roles:
Women will be needed to round out the Chorus and range from age 6 - 76 as well. Diversity welcome!
These are the two main singing roles yet there are SEVERAL parts with solos in scenes and in songs.
 
ANN RUTLEDGE: Abe's first love, pretty, late teens - late 20's, SOPRANO
MARY TODD: Abe's wife, a strong stubborn woman, 30's-40's, SOP/MEZZO

Production Crew

Director/Vocals: Elizabeth Buttell
Assistant Director: Travis Barber
Choreographer: Tammy Fidler
Music Director: Mary E. Myers
Set Design/Props: Charley Cross
Costumes: Assorted Volunteers

Cast

Abe Lincoln: Zac Clemens
Mentor Graham: Bob TeRonde
Jim Rutledge:John Woodruff
Ann Rutledge: Kourtney Zimmermann
Denton Offutt: Brian Bomke
Jack Armstrong/Billy Herndon: Caleb Klauzer
Mrs. Cameron: Joyce TeRonde
Cameron Daughter: Halee M. Smith-Hillyer
Cameron Daughter: Molly Buttell
Mary Todd: Kaylie Honkala
Elizabeth Edwards: Elizabeth Howell
Robert Lincoln: Blaine Kneller
Willie Lincoln: Jimm Riemer
Tad Lincoln: David Pellerin

Chorus

Deana Langheim
Kourtney Zimmerman
Katie Kaufman
Katrina Fricke
Allie Fidler
Hannah Shryock
Sheldon Null