Equality. State’s rights. America’s future. In the 1858 Illinois Senate race, as the country steamrolled towards civil war, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas embarked on a series of debates. Their epic clash of ideas and oratory forged a future President and a nation. A local race quickly became the focus of a divided country, whose future was on the line.

The Rivalry, raises difficult questions of values and rights that remain unresolved at every level of American government and society: race, social and economic inequity, states’ rights and the “proper” role of the federal government. Join us as we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation with this stirring play and post-show talk back with the cast.

Performance Resources

L.A. Theatre Works website
About the play