By Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel
SOLANA BEACH, California — A brilliant script by Richard Hellersen brought Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass back to life face-to-face on my computer careen. I felt like a fly on the wall (better than a front row seat) watching two brilliant portrayals by Hawthorne James as Douglass, and Ray Chambers as Lincoln in heated conversations actually documented by playwright Hellersen from meetings and correspondence between these two iconic and historic figures.
In August 1863, the first of two scenes Frederick Douglass walks into to President Lincoln’s office in Washington uninvited (those were the days). Douglass is already well known to Lincoln as a former slave, scholar, author and, of course, an ardent abolitionist. Lincoln welcomes him warmly.
The two men exchange passionate viewpoints how to win the war, seek peace and free slaves so they can join and strengthen the northern armies for a faster victory. Douglass is very firm that slavery must be totally abolished and the freed slaves granted full citizenship and the right to vote.
Lincoln is the pragmatist and tries to explain to Douglass the political challenges he faces daily with his cabinet and generals.
In the second scene, a year later, it is Lincoln who invites Douglass back to his office for his opinion and support. Listening to rich English spoken beautifully and clearly in contrast to what is heard today on television and radio was sheer delight.
Although the Civil War was fought a century and a half ago, the same struggle against racism is being demonstrated on streets across our country.
Necessary Sacrifices is a must-see production via the North Coast Rep website. Sign in via this website to learn more or to buy tickets with your credit card. You don’t have to leave the comfort of your home to meet Lincoln and Douglass almost in person. The price is right and once signed in you have 48 hours to watch or re–watch it. So, sit down with your family and be whisked back to the mid-19th century for some deep insights into our nation’s history.
Kudos to the Design Team, including Editor Aaron Rumley, and Set Designer Marty Burnett, among others.
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Cantor Sheldon Foster Merel is cantor emeritus of Congregation Beth Israel in San Diego. He may be contacted via sheldon.merel@sdjewishworld.com