playbill vip

Woods and fields and scenes of play and playmates loved so well.

This lyric from the finale of Here I Grew Up is framed in my toddler’s room. I found out I was pregnant with him during the 2019 premiere, and to me these words perfectly capture what makes the Lincoln Amphitheatre experience unparalleled to any other.

To be surrounded by the same “woods and fields” of Lincoln’s youth still takes my breath away every time I walk into this space. The beauty of the trees, the visits from the wildlife (snakes, racoons, turtles, mice, groundhogs, kittens, bats, frogs, horseflies, spiders, etc.), the stars, the lightning bugs, the rain storms - collectively they create, as a former Lincoln castmate of mine perfectly wrote, a “massive theatrical cathedral.”

“Scenes of play”? Absolutely. But also scenes of history. Of lessons. Of learning. Dean, our President Lincoln, shares a story of a little boy who became an avid reader after seeing Abe’s love for books portrayed on stage. I’ve been told stories of people of color seeing themselves represented for the first time on stage at a Lincoln production. During a 2013 performance of A. Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale, a veteran in the audience stood with his hand over his heart and joined the cast as they sang the Battle Hymn of the Republic in the finale. And just last summer, I had the pleasure of engaging in a captivating conversation after The Rivalry with a young girl who had thoughts to share about how the Lincoln-Douglas debates made her feel and how her opinion changed throughout the show. The impact of the Lincoln shows has impressed the importance of these stories - those of Abraham that are known across the country and those of the Pigeon Creek pioneers that are held more tightly in our local community - upon generations of theatre-goers.

And, finally, those “playmates loved so well.” I fight tears as I reflect on the friendships forged at the amphitheatre. There is something about the epically long days, the copious amounts of sweat, the legendary tales of performing through severe weather events and power outages, the swallowing of bugs mid-show, and the casthouse antics that create a rare and special bond. The performers, the crews, the production teams, and the development teams that have filled this space with their hearts and souls - with their literal blood, sweat, and tears - for the past 35 years have left pieces of themselves here. Their “ghosts” are felt; their stories, revered. The team you see before you tonight stands on their shoulders, and we couldn’t be more honored or grateful.

We are humbled to celebrate Lincoln Amphitheatre’s 35th season with this concert version of songs from Young Abe Lincoln and Here I Grew Up. Thank you for being part of this tribute, and enjoy the show!

Molly Rupert