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Questions regarding Abraham Lincoln’s sexual preferences have been the topic of numerous writings, most notably C.A. Tripp, a sex researcher and protégé of Alfred Kinsey, whose book The Intimate World of Abraham Lincoln was posthumously published in 2005. The speculation stems from Carl Sandburg’s biography of Lincoln in 1926, and an early relationship of Lincoln and his friend Joshua Fry Speed as having "a streak of lavender, and spots soft as May violets."
"Streak of lavender" was slang in the 1930s for an effeminate man, and later connoted homosexuality. It appears that men traveling in the early 19th century would frequently share a bed for lack of space, for warmth and not necessarily for anything other. With the growth of the Gay movement in America, the speculation has been pushed even further.
Direct from the NY Fringe Festival, it is a sometimes silly, campy yet amusing and irreverent off-Broadway production with a cast of multi-Honest Abes (who play multiple roles), often cavorting in long black coats, stovepipe hats and beards to bring home the point. What is the point? It all begins as a Christmas pageant in a rural town in Menard County, Illinois, where the children play roles of different Presidents, one dressed as Lincoln who speaks about his sharing a bed and being very close with his friend Joshua Speed. That is the impetus for an exploding controvers, as teacher Harmony Green (Pippa Pearthree) is accused and brought to trial for teaching 4th Graders about sex and homosexuality. It’s not quite that simple, however, as the production is performed in three acts relating the Trial of the Century from different character viewpoints, as an audience member, or “representative,” gets to choose the order in which the acts are presented. It’s the democratic way!
There’s Anton (Arnie Burton), the outwardly Gay Pulitzer Prize winning reporter from the NY Times who comes sniffing around to see what dirt he can dig up with co-hort Esmeralda (Stephanie Pope-Caffey), a dancing Latin bombshell in this act. Welcome back Ms. Pope-Caffey, who looks great and still dances ten! Anton wants to destroy Congressman Tom (Robert Hogan), an openly anti-Gay rights politician, whose son Jerry (Ben Roberts) is a closet homosexual. In the subsequent Act II, “I will fight for you” Regina (Pope-Caffey), is a Black Republican Congresswoman representing the accused teacher, Green, at the trial, as a political move against Tom, who’s planning to run as well, as she endeavors to climb the political ladder. Her assistant Tina (Lisa Birnbaum) aids and abets by pulling the wool over Lloyd’s (Ted Koch) eyes, who plays a slimy political aide. Congressman Tom presents his perspective on it all in Act III, where there are wild interludes with mariachis and other schizophrenic mania, including a whole lotta dancing going on. Are you confused yet?
This is yet another in a plethora of Gay-themed productions emphasizing political corruption and blunders in a mish mash of sometimes clever and funny writing. It’s a frenetic 150 minutes.
The use of three large, movable backdrop boxes that open in various ways as doorways and containing set pieces (table, bar), is wonderfully creative and the brainchild of Bill English. The production is directed by Chris Smith and choreographed by Vince Pesce. Jeff Croiter and Grant Yeager designed the lights and Rebecca Lustig the costumes.
Abraham Lincoln’s Big, Gay Dance Party is running at The Acorn Theatre on Theatre Row, West 42nd Street, thru September 5th. Tickets: (212)239-6200 www.Telecharge.com
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