January 2017
The tenth season of Artist Series presentations at St. John’s Lutheran Church, at 215 S. Lincoln Street, Lombard, Illinois, continues Sunday, February 12, at 3 p.m. with “An Evening with Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln,” an original drama written by, and featuring, Max and Donna Daniels.
The Daniels have an extensive background in theatre and have been portraying Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln professionally since 1988. They are past vice presidents of the National Association of Lincoln Presenters and have received its awards for “Best Abraham,” “Best Mary,” “Best Abraham and Mary Lincoln Team,” and “Lincoln Legend.”
“An Evening with Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln” takes place in the White House at the end of the Civil War (April 1865). As the President and Mrs. Lincoln reflect on the events of the past four years and their plans for the future, the play flashes back to the beginning of their lives together – their courtship and early marriage, the births of their children, Mr. Lincoln’s legal career, and the development of his political career – and brings the audience all the way forward through the tumultuous years of the Civil War and the responsibilities of the Presidency and the personal traumas suffered by the family.
Max and Donna Daniels have been featured on C-Span Cable Network in the Lincoln-Douglas Debate series, the “Someone You Should Know” program on ABC/Channel 7 in Chicago, and the Investigating History series on the History Channel. They have performed at the Lincoln Home Visitor Center in Springfield, Illinois, and at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. They participate in Memorial Day ceremonies at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery and took part in the dedication of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Museum in Springfield, Illinois.
The Daniels research and write their own original scripts. They are popular attractions at Civil War Reenactments throughout the Midwest and make over 200 appearances each year for schools, libraries, and other organizations. They take great pride in bringing history to life for audiences of all ages.
“We are particularly excited to be able to host Max and Donna Daniels on Sunday, February 12, which is, of course, the anniversary of Lincoln’s birth,” commented Fred Hoebel, a member of St. John’s Artist Series team, which is responsible for the event. “It might be expected that birthday cake will be part of our celebration on that day.
“You don’t have to be a Civil War buff, a historian, or a follower of Lincoln in particular in order to learn, enjoy, and be moved by watching this presentation,” Hoebel said.
An informal reception with light refreshments will follow the presentation, during which the original and distinctive cards of artist Tracy Kokonas will be on display and available for purchase.
The public is cordially invited to attend “An Evening with Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln” and the reception. No tickets will be sold for the program; a free-will offering will be received.
St. John’s Lutheran Church is located on the southeast corner of Lincoln and Maple Streets in Lombard. Information about St. John’s Artist Series is available by calling the church office, 630-629-2515.