Abe Lincoln gets jiggy with it

How would you react if our former President Lincoln liked men? Would you protest in outright resentment or march in a parade rejoicing his sexuality or simply shrug your shoulders in indifference?

With a title like "Abraham Lincoln's Big Gay Dance Party," it seems rather sacrilegious to imagine him, "America's greatest president," throwing such a bash. But, that is exactly the point of satire: to distort reality in order to draw out and tackle deeper meanings.

Audience member Ken Noll said the performance focuses on "learning about other peoples' opinions and accepting people for what they are and who they are." Julie Silverman, a 1st-semester psychology major, added, "it's about giving yourself the chance to explore new environments and boundaries."

Using the hysterical yet insightful script by Aaron Loeb, Kristin Wold directs a talented cast who stirs the audience to challenge their perceptions of sexuality, liberty and morality. The performance ran from October 29th through the 31st and from November 4th through the 8th at the Studio Theatre of the Connecticut Repertory Theatre. Steeped in wit and humor, the play narrates the story of a fourth grade teacher, Harmony Green, from Menard County, Illinois, who rewrites the school's annual Christmas pageant to incorporate a scene where Abe reveals his special relationship with Joshua Speed. With such a bold move, Harmony finds herself fired and indicted by the state for slandering Lincoln's honor and infecting young minds.

In an attempt to celebrate democracy, after the opening dance number where the entire cast wears Abe stovepipe hats and beards, the audience votes to determine the order in which the three-part play unfolds.

As the hearing gains more hype, two opposing political forces collide.

Anti-gay former Congressman and candidate for governor Tom Hauser takes up the prosecution and his ex-apprentice, Regina Lincoln, a black female Republican senator running to become state governor, represents the defense. Anton, a gay Pulitzer-winning reporter for The New York Times, travels to so called "Hicksville" to cover "the trial of the century," while winding up falling for Tom's closeted son, Jerry, in the process.

The audience witnesses the trial from three different standpoints: Tom, the prosecutor, Regina, the defense and Anton, the reporter. Each one extensively examines American politics and ideology, divulging a slew of 7 secrets and political fraud. The show certainly did not disappoint as many audience members really enjoyed the great acting, dancing and set up.

"I thought it was awesome," said Lauren Ditullio, a 1st-semester journalism major from Northeastern University. "I liked how the whole thing overlapped and how you could see the different perspectives."

Cathy Poirier, a junior in high school who attends both the Woodstock Academy and the Willimantic ACT School, said she really liked that "they broke up the intense scenes with humor."

While the blend of mayhem and comical dance outbursts made for an amusing show, the play delved into the heart of many serious themes, addressing the division between red and blue states and putting our own perceptions on trial. The show becomes not about Lincoln and his big gay dance party, but a show about the "United States versus themselves."