CRT’s "Abraham Lincolns Big Gay Dance Party" entertaining education


STORRS — Was Abraham Lincoln a homosexual? That question, supported by historical fact, is one part of the premise of the inquisitive, entertaining, and educational musical play “Abraham Lincoln’s Big Gay Dance Party,” running through Sunday, Nov. 8 at the intimate studio theatre at the University of Connecticut.
What better time to show this political farcical play than during election season?
The play, which starts out as a Christmas pageant in an elementary school in the “fly-over country” of Illinois has a third grader playing Lincoln saying that Lincoln and a merchant, Joshua Speed, were lovers, and that’s okay.
From there the teacher, Harmony, played by Alison Barton, is fired from her job and a trial that is hyped as “The Trial of the Century” commences.
The play, thoughtfully directed by Kristen Wold, is more of an allegory, engaging the audience to vote on whose perspective to view the play from first, the defendant’s, the prosecutor’s, or the reporter’s.
The sets, designed by Jennifer Corcoran, are as clever as can be, with bright, cartoon colors, like folded origami, which are moved about on wheels by the actors to show the courtroom, a restaurant, and a cornfield.
The dialog is smart, sharp, and delivered with conviction, and, as the title implies, there’s plenty of dancing, by the energetic ensemble, with fine choreography by Christine Gambardella, and excellent dancing, particularly by Rachel Leigh Rosado as the Cuban exile Esmerelda.
There’s some pretty graphic sexual dialog and actions, making this show for adults only.
Songs from Brooks and Dunn to Crosby Stills Nash and Young, disco numbers, movie songs such as “Footloose,” and the television theme song to “The Andy Griffith Show,” are woven throughout the show, providing a lift to sometimes talk heavy dialog, with sound design by Jack Nardi.
Showing the same plot from three different perspectives, which this play does, becomes confusing at times. A gunshot is heard over the phone by the Republican defense attorney who wants to be the first black governor of Illinois, Regina, play by Tiffany Vinters.
But it is hard to connect the dots when it is told from the perspective of Tom, the older prosecutor, an arch-conservative Republican who is also running for governor, played by Tom Foran, who evidently shot the gun.
In fact, I’m not really sure how the trial turns out except that what really is on trial here, as one of the characters says at the end, is the United States versus themselves.
Noah Weintraub is convincing as the famous New York Times Pulitzer prize-winning reporter, a gay man bent on destroying Tom’s career.
Also fine is Harrison Greene as the smarmy political operator who is hell-bent on manipulating everyone in his path for political gain.
Barton is excellent too as the wide-eyed, devoted teacher, Harmony, and the older mom hobbling ably with a cane.
Quotes from Lincoln, including his statement that “Those who deny freedom to others do not deserve it themselves,” and debates about the meaning of the word liberty, are laced throughout this challenging show.
It presented with all the energy, commitment, and thoughtfulness that I have come to expect from UConn’s theater department.

ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S BIG GAY DANCE PARTY
3 Stars
Theater: Connecticut Repertory Theatre
Location: Studio Theater, 802 Bolton Rd., Storrs
Production: Written by Aaron Loeb. Directed by Kristin Wold. Scenic design by Jennifer Corcoran. Costume design by Cassandra Beaver. Lighting design by Matthew Daurio. Sound design by Jack Nardi. Choreography by Christine Gambardella. Music consultant Ken Clark. Technical direction by Alez Colodner. Production stage manager Carmen Torres.
Running time: 2 ½ hours with one intermission.
Show Times: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 p.m., and Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., with matinees Saturday and Sunday at 2 p.m. through Nov. 8.
Tickets: General admission $11 to $29. Call 860-486-4266 or visit their website at www.crt.uconn.edu.
ACTOR…CHARACTER
Alison Barton … Mom, Harmony, Abe
Scott Cooke … Jerry, Bailiff, Abe
Tom Foran … Tom, Walter, Abe
Harrison Greene … Lloyd, Timmy, Abe
Seth Koproski … Sparky, Principal, Abe
Sarah Murdoch … Tina, Violet, Jefferson, Abe
Rachel Leigh Rosado … Esmerelda, Abe
Tiffany Vinters … Regina, Washington, Abe
Noah Weintraub … Anton, Judge, Abe