Lincoln-Douglas Debates Live at Hylton Performing Arts Center

Just in time for Election Day, L.A. Theatre Works, America’s premier radio theater company, appears at the Hylton Performing Arts Center for the first time, presenting Norman Corwin’s gripping depiction of the historic debates between Abraham Lincoln and Stephen A. Douglas in their battle for the Illinois Senate seat. Directed by Shannon Cochran, this eloquent work uses real dialogue from the Lincoln-Douglas debates.

These days, it is difficult to fathom an election without the interference of the 24-hour news cycle, the blogosphere and social media, soundbites and talking heads causing deeper rifts among the parties.

However, in 1858, as the United States was heading toward the Civil War, Lincoln, a rising legislator and future president, and Douglas, an incumbent senator, began a series of fiery debates focusing on such controversial issues as racial, social and economic injustice; the rights of the individual states; and the involvement of the federal government in the lives of its citizens. More than 150 years ago, these were the issues dividing the nation – and they still continue to cause conflict among the political parties today – yet at the end of the day, Lincoln and Douglas were willing to put aside their differences for the good of the country. 

“What is so heartbreakingly different from today's political scene is how principled they both were, putting the nation before their own hopes,” said L.A. Theatre Works' Producing Artistic Director Susan Loewenberg.

Lincoln lost to Douglas in the Illinois Senatorial election, but the debates elevated his reputation and he defeated Douglas two years later for the presidency. 

In the program notes for the production, Elizabeth Bennett, the dramaturg for L.A. Theatre Works, writes, "'The Rivalry' brings these men to the stage not just to illuminate fundamental issues about freedom, government and equality. Corwin brings together their shared humanity and willingness to put principles above any personal issues there may have been between them."  

Author Norman Corwin, hailed as the "Poet Laureate" of the Golden Age of Radio, wrote "The Rivalry" in 1958, a century after these legendary debates took place, and the work premiered on Broadway on Feb. 12, 1959, the 150th anniversary of Lincoln's birth. Corwin recently passed away on Oct. 18, 2011. 

Tickets to "The Rivalry" are $24, $32 and $40. To purchase tickets, please visit hyltoncenter.org or call 888-945-2468 or visit the Hylton Center box office, open Wednesday through Saturday, 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.