'Necessary Sacrifices' is an invitation to eavesdrop

It is a brilliant opener for North Coast Repertory's 39th season. Like other local theatres NCRep has gone online.

Playing online until Oct. 11, "Necessary Sacrifices" is an imagined-historical work by playwright Richard Hellesen about conversations between Abraham Lincoln and his visitor Frederick Douglass.

Albeit there are no written accounts of what actually was said, no notes by Lincoln exist of either of the two meetings, just the same, both meetings were documented in the White House records to substantiate this fictional account.

Historical records say the Civil War officially began April 9, 1861, when the Confederate army attacked Fort Sumter on Charleston Bay. By that time, 11 southern states had seceded from the Union in January 1861 forming the Confederate States of America. The war ended May 9, 1865, at the Appomattox Court House when General Robert E. Lee surrendered his sword to General

Ulysses S. Grant.

The first encounter between Douglass and the President occurred during the summer of 1863 when Douglass casually walked into Mr. Lincoln's office unannounced. (That alone in today's experiences boggles the mind.)

With a presidential invitation, Douglass' second visit had to have been sometime between Lincoln's reelection Nov. 8, 1864, and April 15, 1865 (the date of Lincoln's assassination). The exact date isn't referenced.

As a side note, Lincoln changed running mates for his reelection choosing Andrew

Johnson as his vice president. He believed Johnson's connection with the

Confederate states would better serve to rebuild the south.

As viewers we are invited to eavesdrop on the (alleged) discussions between the

two great gentlemen and by doing so, we discover their similarities. They talk

about their families, especially their children, their wives and of course

their strong opinions about the abolition of slavery and the injustice

perpetrated by that "moral evil."

Douglass is aptly portrayed by Hawthorne James. He bears a resemblance to the great man physically and draws us in to his interpretation as he humbly showcases his talent.

Ray Chambers laces Midwestern humor and charm with inherent modesty to his

portrayal of President Lincoln.

Together the two actors recreate discussions of an era that are not only believable but compelling to watch. They share their mutual passion to resolve the enslavement of men and women in oftentimes heated discussions toward the same result.

It is two hours of compelling entertainment. During this current election

conflict it is interesting to note how certain of Douglass' words were left out

of this script. For instance, "I am a Republican, a black dyed in the wool

Republican, and I never intend to belong to any other party than the party of

freedom and progress."

Douglass is also quoted to say, "once you learn to read, you will be free" and my

favorite, "those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not themselves."

Like so much of our history that is skipped over in school, this play is a reminder of the hard-fought freedoms for all citizens in America.

To view this imaginative work of history, visit https://northcoastrep.org/ and

purchase a ticket for only $35. It can provide family-togetherness as you

scrunch around a monitor.

Once the ticket is purchased, you will be advised to follow the link which will

import the play to your personal computer or other device for viewing. The play

lasts about two hours and can even be paused if you need a drink of water.

Director Peter Ellenstein chose his actors well. By not getting in their way, he allowed them to embrace their characters.

The set is Marty Burnett's 199th spectacular set for NCRep. Eliza Benzoni's fourth

season of needle mastery is once again to be heralded. Michael Silversher is in

charge of music and Aaron Rumley is the cinematographer with Christopher

Williams on camera. Peter Herman worked magic with the wigs.

This production is inviting in every way and provides sterling entertainment for the

entire family especially from junior high school ages and up.

This production is rated a solid 10 out of 10.

Elizabeth Youngman-Westphal can be reached at [email protected].