Review
CRITIC’S PICK
The Memoirs of Abraham Lincoln
directed by Jenny Sullivan
Falcon Theatre, Burbank
through March 2

It is rare when one can say with 100% certainty that an actor was born to play a role, as is definitely the case with Granville Van Dusen as Abe Lincoln. Tall, hands dangling at sides, moving with an ever so slight limp, and with a smile as broad as heaven, Van Dusen proceeds with extraordinary adroitness to inhabit Lincoln’s skin and convey his keen sense of humor, and prolific director Jenny Sullivan smartly allows him plenty of leeway.

The historical play covers Lincoln’s birth in Kentucky in 1809, his move to Illinois, his 25 years as a lawyer and elections to the Oval Office in 1860 and 1864. What exactly is the point of Peter King Beach’s enjoyable play? Lincoln’s presence is to set the record straight after he was shot down, to tell, as the playwright calls it, his ‘unexpurgated’ version of the facts. Critics blamed Lincoln for stretching out the Civil War and he places the blame on a series of inept Union generals, but along the way suffers the responsibility for the horrific number of casualties – 1 out of every 3 soldiers who fought. He also places the blame for slavery – the cause of the war – on Senator Stephen Douglas. One touching moment arises when Lincoln reads about a mother who lost all 5 of her sons, 2 in prisoner of war camps – “3 killed, 2 just disappeared”.  Another occurs when he discusses the untimely deaths of his own 3 sons and the tragic effect on his beloved wife Mary Todd, who, he claims, “created an island of tranquility” for him.

What gives the play its spunk is Honest Abe’s unique ability to tell a story – something that he loved as much as his family. In Washington, he brags, he told “800-900” of them and jokes about forming a ‘storytelling bee’. Van Dusen’s ease with this aspect of Lincoln’s character makes for a very pleasant experience.  Don’t miss Granville Van Dusen’s tour-de-force in the role of a lifetime!      

5 out of 5 stars