An actress portraying Mary Lincoln, dressed in a black gown and white gloves, kneels on stage. A Union solider in a blue uniform and yellow sash, with a gun behind his shoulder, looks at her. Behind them are two women wearing black.

Mary Bacon as Mary Lincoln with the cast of the Ford’s Theatre world premiere of James Still’s The Widow Lincoln, directed by Stephen Rayne. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

The Widow Lincoln

Ridiculed and disdained for her perceived sense of entitlement, Mary Lincoln sparked more controversy than any First Lady before or since.

January 23, 2015 — February 22, 2023

Set during the weeks following Abraham Lincoln’s assassination at Ford’s Theatre, The Widow Lincoln portrays a very human Mary in the aftermath of her husband’s death as she mourns the post-war life they will never share. Playwright James Still (The Heavens Are Hung In Black) returns with an emotional drama that explores the tenacious attitudes and heartbreaking grief of the maligned “Mrs. President.”

Ford’s Theatre commissioned this world premiere as part of Ford’s 150, a series of events marking the 150th anniversary of Lincoln’s assassination.

Artistic Team

Written by James Still

Director Stephen Rayne

Scenic Design Tony Cisek

Costume Design Wade Laboissonniere

Lighting Design Pat Collins

Sound Design and Original Music David Budries and Nathan A. Roberts

Projection Design Clint Allen

Wig and Make-Up Design Anne Nesmith

Dialects Lynn Watson

Production Stage Manager Brandon Prendergast

Assistant Stage Manager Hannah R. O’Neil

New York Casting Stephanie Klapper Casting, CSA

Cast

Mary Bacon

Mary Lincoln

Melissa Graves

Guard, Asa Trenchard

Brynn Tucker

Young Maid

Kimberly Schraf

Laura Keene, Understudy

Caroline Clay

Elizabeth Keckly

Lynda Gravátt

Mammy Sally

Sarah Marshall

Queen Victoria

Gracie Terzian

Nettie Colburn

Susan Lynskey

Understudy

Deidra LaWan Starnes

Understudy

Rebecca Tucker

Understudy

From the Gallery

An actress portraying Mary Lincoln puts her earring in her right ear. She is wearing a ruffled cream ballgown with cloth flowers across the chest and waist, and a crown of white flowers in her hair. To her right, her young maid holds open her jewelry box for her.

Brynn Tucker as a young maid and Mary Bacon as Mary Lincoln in the Ford’s Theatre world premiere of James Still’s “The Widow Lincoln,” directed by Stephen Rayne. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

An actress portraying Mary Lincoln stands with her hands around her waist. She is wearing an all-black gown.

Mary Bacon as Mary Lincoln in the Ford’s Theatre world premiere of James Still’s “The Widow Lincoln,” directed by Stephen Rayne. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

An actress portraying Mary Lincoln kneels on the floor with her hands clutched in the hands of an older African American woman who leans down to her. The older woman is dressed in a simple dress, shawl and headwrap. Mary is dressed in a ruffled cream ballgown with cloth flowers across the chest and waist. There is blood splatter at the bottom of her gown.

Lynda Gravátt as Mammy Sally and Mary Bacon as Mary Lincoln in the Ford’s Theatre world premiere of James Still’s “The Widow Lincoln,” directed by Stephen Rayne. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

An actress portraying Mary Lincoln waves hesitantly. She is wearing a ruffled cream ballgown with cloth flowers across the chest and waist.

Mary Bacon as Mary Lincoln in the Ford’s Theatre world premiere of James Still’s “The Widow Lincoln,” directed by Stephen Rayne. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

An actress portraying Mary Lincoln stands centerstage in a black gown and cape, and wearing white gloves. Around her in a semi-circle stand six curtseying women in black.

Mary Bacon as Mary Lincoln with the cast of the Ford’s Theatre world premiere of James Still’s “The Widow Lincoln,” directed by Stephen Rayne. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

Melissa Graves as the guard and Mary Bacon as Mary Lincoln [background: Gracie Terzian and Sarah Marshall] in the Ford’s Theatre world premiere of James Still’s “The Widow Lincoln,” directed by Stephen Rayne. Photo by Carol Rosegg.

An actress portraying Civil War-era actress Laura Keene stands in an elaborate yellow lace ballgown. She wears lace gloves, a necklace and yellow flowers in her hand. An actress portraying Mary Lincoln dressed in all black and carrying a black coat seated next to her with a severe expression.

Kimberly Schraf as Laura Keene and Mary Bacon as Mary Lincoln in the Ford’s Theatre world premiere of James Still’s “The Widow Lincoln,” directed by Stephen Rayne. Photo by Carol Rosegg.