←Recommendations of The Haunted Widow Lincoln

  • Mike Byham: The Haunted Widow Lincoln by Donna Latham
    “

    This is a fascinating piece of historical recounting. Told in a theatrically interesting way, we get to live with and through Mary Todd Lincoln as she deals with accusations of mental incompetence following her husband’s assassination. It is easy to feel Mary’s pain as she deals with the unimaginable circumstance life brought her. Donna Latham does a nice job of using period-accurate vernacular lending authenticity to the staging. Really, really well done. I would love to see this staged.

    This is a fascinating piece of historical recounting. Told in a theatrically interesting way, we get to live with and through Mary Todd Lincoln as she deals with accusations of mental incompetence following her husband’s assassination. It is easy to feel Mary’s pain as she deals with the unimaginable circumstance life brought her. Donna Latham does a nice job of using period-accurate vernacular lending authenticity to the staging. Really, really well done. I would love to see this staged.

    ”
  • Aly Kantor: The Haunted Widow Lincoln by Donna Latham
    “

    The language in this play is gorgeous, to the extent that the Shakespearean dialogue brilliantly and effectively incorporated throughout never stands out as dissonant! I love how even as we see and hear Mary's traumatic hallucinations, she's consistently the sanest person in any room—at least when the room is full of men who are eager to dismiss and disenfranchise her. Structurally, this is a strong play, with a steady build of tension that kept me thoroughly engaged as the story progressed. The ending is beautifully cathartic and moving. Imagining the gorgeous, haunting final soundscape gave...

    The language in this play is gorgeous, to the extent that the Shakespearean dialogue brilliantly and effectively incorporated throughout never stands out as dissonant! I love how even as we see and hear Mary's traumatic hallucinations, she's consistently the sanest person in any room—at least when the room is full of men who are eager to dismiss and disenfranchise her. Structurally, this is a strong play, with a steady build of tension that kept me thoroughly engaged as the story progressed. The ending is beautifully cathartic and moving. Imagining the gorgeous, haunting final soundscape gave me chills!

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    ”
  • Daniel Guyton: The Haunted Widow Lincoln by Donna Latham
    “

    We read this terrific play over Zoom. It was poignant and meaningful - showing us a side of history that we rarely get to see. We all know Boothe and Abe, but how many of us know what Mrs. Lincoln endured that fateful evening and beyond? This play examines her grief, and the unfortunate misery that befell her in the months and years that followed her husband's demise.

    We read this terrific play over Zoom. It was poignant and meaningful - showing us a side of history that we rarely get to see. We all know Boothe and Abe, but how many of us know what Mrs. Lincoln endured that fateful evening and beyond? This play examines her grief, and the unfortunate misery that befell her in the months and years that followed her husband's demise.

    ”
  • Tom Erb: The Haunted Widow Lincoln by Donna Latham
    “

    "The Haunted Widow" is an awesome exploration of the grief of Mary Todd Lincoln's life after her husband's assassination. Set in 1875 Illinois, the play masterfully portrays Mary's struggle with public perception and her emotional turmoil. The character dynamics, especially between Mary and Madame Marvalosa is riveting. The skeptical undertones add depth. Overall, a compelling historical drama that resonates with themes of loss, resilience, and the human condition. GREAT!

    "The Haunted Widow" is an awesome exploration of the grief of Mary Todd Lincoln's life after her husband's assassination. Set in 1875 Illinois, the play masterfully portrays Mary's struggle with public perception and her emotional turmoil. The character dynamics, especially between Mary and Madame Marvalosa is riveting. The skeptical undertones add depth. Overall, a compelling historical drama that resonates with themes of loss, resilience, and the human condition. GREAT!

    ”
  • Kelly McBurnette-Andronicos: The Haunted Widow Lincoln by Donna Latham
    “

    Rich in atmosphere and theatrical potential, this neo-gothic tale of loss, madness, and abuse is wonderfully stylized yet remains easily accessible to modern audiences. The play is fast paced and the dialogue is brisk, poetic, and often cheeky. The female characters are strong and particularly well crafted. The characters wander in and out of realism, dragging the audience member along into Ms. Lincoln’s understandable despair or into Zuzu’s strong connection with the afterlife. Even though light and airy in feel, the audience never loses their foothold in the palpable tragedy on which the...

    Rich in atmosphere and theatrical potential, this neo-gothic tale of loss, madness, and abuse is wonderfully stylized yet remains easily accessible to modern audiences. The play is fast paced and the dialogue is brisk, poetic, and often cheeky. The female characters are strong and particularly well crafted. The characters wander in and out of realism, dragging the audience member along into Ms. Lincoln’s understandable despair or into Zuzu’s strong connection with the afterlife. Even though light and airy in feel, the audience never loses their foothold in the palpable tragedy on which the play is based.

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    ”