Lovers and Patriots: Actor’s Reading Theatre Performance
Lovers and Patriots, a play about the lives of John and Abigail Adams is making its Wausau premiere this weekend. Performed by the Actor’s Reading Theatre, the play dramatizes the life of one of our country’s founding father and the special relationship he and his wife Abigail had.
The play is based on a series of personal letters, journal entries, and historical documents written between 1774 and 1777. The two were very prolific writers and spent almost as much time apart as they did together during this very turbulent time in the birth of the Nation.
From the Actor’s Reading Theatre Web Site:
John Adams, the brilliant, fiercely independent, always honest Yankee patriot, “The Colossus of Independence” as Jefferson called him, and the wise and valiant Abigail Adams; outspoken and sharp-penned and whose passion for her husband and her support of the abolition of slavery and women’s rights make her worthy of much belated, but well deserved recognition.
Written and performed by Gary Anderson along with Lisa Burgess, in the Actor’s Reading Theatre dramatization of the play the actors read the script along in a setting with minimal set and lighting. This minimalist approach give the Actor’s Reading Theatre the ability to quickly launch productions and make theatre approachable for the audience.
In a preview of the show, I was impressed by the emotion and passion of the characters. Like the title says, the Adams were not only patriots, but also lovers and had a timeless romance while also fighting for our country’s independence. As they were apart, their writings are passionate and the performers bring this passion to life on the stage. Patriotism, passion, romance; you’ll experience a side of our founding fathers that you never thought existed.
Lovers and Patriots: The love story of John and Abigail Adams
Friday and Saturday July 20 and 21 at 7:30pm
Sunday July 22 at 3pm
YWCA – 613 5th Street, Wausau, WI
Phone: (715)298-9250
Special Reception to Benefit the YWCA with President & Mrs. Adams at 6:30 pm before July 20 show – Limit 25 at $20 includes wine, hors d’oeuvres and preferred seating.
Cost: $10 reserve by phone or pick up tickets at Art, Books & Banter 614 3rd St.
$12 at the door. Refreshments included – No one turned away due to lack of funds
