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The Rivalry

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The Rivalry

By: Norman Corwin
Narrated by: Paul Giamatti, James Gleason, Tony Palermo, Lily Rabe, David Strathairn, Shannon Cochran
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About this listen

 Released in conjunction with the 200th anniversary of Lincoln's birthday, The Rivalry recreates the fiery face-off between the rising Illinois legislator Abraham Lincoln and incumbent Senator Stephen A. Douglas. The play features Paul Giamatti (recent Emmy winner and Golden Globe nominee for "John Adams") in the role of Stephen A. Douglas and Academy Awards nominee David Straithairn as Abraham Lincoln.

Two Presidential candidates - one a rising Illinois legislator, the other a bombastic US Senator. Obama and McCain? Think again. In this transcendent Broadway play, the famous Lincoln-Douglas debates tackle the day's most passionate issue - slavery. Their battle comes to life through the eyes of Adele Douglas, wife of candidate Stephen Douglas. Challenged by the charming man from Illinois, she reexamines her basic beliefs about the American concept of freedom.

©1959 Norman Corwin (P)2008 LA Theatre Works Drama & Plays European Politicians Politics & Activism United States World Literature

Editor reviews

L.A. Theatre Works' first-rate audio presentation brings to life the historic debates between rising legislator Abraham Lincoln (David Strathairn) and incumbent Senator Stephen Douglas (Paul Giamatti) during the Illinois Senate race of 1858, as seen through the eyes of Senator Douglas's wife, Adele (Lily Rabe). The vocal performances of Giamatti and Strathairn are gripping as they speak text taken from the actual debate speeches. With humor, passion, and vitality but, thankfully, no attempt at impersonation, this expert audio production dramatically encompasses an assortment of issues, including human rights, state's rights, and slavery. Delivered by two actors at the top of their game, the play perfectly illuminates two of the most charismatic politicians of any age.
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