Scott Bakula plays a flawless 'Mister Lincoln' at Ford's Theatre (2024)

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The one-man play presents America's 16th president as a charismatic and eager statesman committed to freedom and liberty from the beginning of his life.

“That reminds me of a story…”

This is the framing line that Scott Bakula’s Lincoln interjects throughout his performance. In the one-man show at Ford’s Theatre, this line showcases Abraham Lincoln in a production that feels as much biographical and as much a tale of a folk hero, in what ultimately is an effort to present the best qualities of the president.

To the credit of Director José Carrasquillo, the rest of the creative team behind Mister Lincoln, and actor Scott Bakula (the Quantum Leap star now in his third theatrical production this year), they succeed at presenting the arguably (objectively) best president in U.S. history in an empathetic and charming light. Using the “Mister” honorific, rather than the “Honorable” title, the audience is presented with a version of the president as a charismatic and eager statesman who was committed to his values of freedom and liberty from the very beginning of his life.

Scott Bakula plays a flawless 'Mister Lincoln' at Ford's Theatre (1)

Bakula is a natural in portraying Lincoln, authentic in playful charm. (Makes you feel you want to grab a beer with him.) He carries the role with poise, vulnerable yet authoritative, a man shouldering the weight of the nation while never losing his moral compass. (Makes you want to believe in hope for the future.) Bakula brings Lincoln to life in a comforting, visceral, and engaging way, particularly when recounting personal anecdotes from his life in Illinois, and his performance deepens as the narrative shifts to the turmoil of his presidency.

And to see how the creative team balances this hero and human is impressive. The lighting by Matthew Taylor tells a story all on its own. There are moments where Lincoln’s shadow is imposed toward the side walls of the theater, dimming slowly as Bakula portrays a Lincoln who grows tired of the war. To really sell the character, the lighting does remarkable work of drawing out Bakula’s edges and pronouncing the shadows of his expressions. Theater lighting enthusiasts should check this one if you want an example of storytelling through tech.

Scenic Designer Misha Kachman also captures both the gravitas and the surprising humanity of America’s 16th president. Pages are strewn throughout the stage, reminding the audience how so much of this play, written by Herbert Mitgang, is taken directly from historical accounts. A backdrop of Lincoln’s face dominates the stage. The sound design by Sarah O’Halloran also adds dimension, providing an atmospheric backdrop of wartime gunfire or shouts of protest from opposing congressmen or crowds. It added some depth beyond the singular character we see on stage.

Scott Bakula plays a flawless 'Mister Lincoln' at Ford's Theatre (2)

So there’s no denying that they tell a successful story at Ford’s. The question though is: where is the story here?

And this is the tricky part: do you speak ill of the dead? Moreso, do you speak ill of this particular dead person at this particular theater? Bakula and the production acknowledge the setting, creating an atmosphere in the beginning that is remarked upon even as you walk into the theater. (I overheard about five different groups in the audience who pointed out Lincoln’s box. Lincoln was shot at Ford’s Theater, but he was transferred to Peterson House before he passed.)

However, the play itself takes little risks, and delivers little surprises, in this telling of Lincoln’s life. The status of folk hero is never really separated from the portrayal. The play and the production focus on emphasizing the larger-than-life aspects of Lincoln.

And if anyone is deserving of this treatment, it’s Lincoln, for sure. But there is an increasing drive in narrative storytelling to showcase our national heroes, not as folk heroes, but as real people with flaws as part of the narrative. This felt missed in an era where people discover these larger-than-life people in new and exceptional ways.

Recognizing that it’s a one-man show, performed in a hallowed space for this one man, it’s understandable that there’s a unreliable-narrator element behind the production. Despite some impressive tech work and talent, there wasn’t much of a surprise in Mister Lincoln.

Running Time: 90 minutes, no intermission.

Mister Lincoln plays through October 13, 2024, at Ford’s Theatre, 514 10th Street NW, Washington, DC. Tickets are on sale online and range from $33 to $95. Discounts are available for groups, senior citizens, military personnel, and those younger than 40. For more information, call (202) 347-4833 or (888) 616-0270 (toll-free).

The cast and creative team credits are here, and a digital program is downloadable here.

Recommended for ages 12 and up.

Ford’s accessibility offerings (audio-described, ASL-interpreted, sensory-friendly) include closed captioning via the GalaPro App.

COVID Safety: Face masks are optional.

Scott Bakula plays a flawless 'Mister Lincoln' at Ford's Theatre (2024)

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