"Young Abe Lincoln" an encore you don't want to miss

The cast of “Young Abe Lincoln” danced during the opening act of the dress rehearsal held at the Lincoln Amphitheatre Monday evening. More photos at the end of the article. *Photos by Matt Crane.*

The encore performance of the 31-year-old iconic production of “Young Abe Lincoln” will occur at the Lincoln Amphitheatre in Lincoln City as a six-show run this week: July 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 and 14.

Doors for each performance will open at 6 p.m. central time with a 7 p.m. start.

Young Abe Lincoln is being presented by Best Home Furnishings and the Lincoln Boyhood Drama Association. It is based upon the original Billy Edd Wheeler script and is, again, being produced by Actors Community Theatre (ACT), a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization headquartered in Jasper.

Jasmine Ruckriegel, a member of ACT, directed the special performance last year and is directing this year’s final run.

“I grew up watching this show during its original 17-year run, so to have the opportunity to direct this show for two years now has been an honor that I am grateful for,” she said. “It’s a great responsibility for our YAL Encore! company to share this story and preserve Lincoln’s memory and his time here in Indiana.”

She explained that it has been an exciting journey bringing this story to life with the more than 60 people from Southern Indiana involved in this summer’s production.

“I often get asked how I manage working with 47 cast members on stage – it isn’t always easy, but it’s always inspiring to see what each individual brings to the stage,” she said. “I learn so much from them when working through the scenes and their excitement of being a part of this production is contagious. They feed off of one another and you can feel the energy that they bring to stage, add that to being right in the area where Lincoln grew up and you have something really special and unique. For me, there is nothing greater than to stand back and watch a group as talented as this one come together and create a beautiful piece of work.”

General admission tickets are $19.95 while VIP tickets (preferred parking and seating, a free drink voucher good for Pepsi products or beer/wine, and a commemorative poster) are $26.95. For a limited time, the promo code “ABE” will unlock a $3 per general admission ticket discount. Seating for veterans is $14.95 and senior citizens pricing is $15.95. Tickets may be purchased online at www. LincolnAmphitheatre.com. For group discount information or to order tickets over the phone, call 812-937-2329. Children 12 and under are invited to attend free of charge without the need for a ticket.

As an encore performance of last year’s 30-year celebration, this is the last time the show will be in production for the foreseeable future.

“We’re back for an encore presentation and we want this show to go out with a bang,” Ruckriegel said. “We’ve added new effects, ramped up the dancing with some new stunts, and have 20 new people joining 27 returning cast members to make this show one to remember before it returns to vault.”

Each night of Young Abe Lincoln’s 2018 encore presentation will feature special activities for the young and young at heart.

•All show nights: Children 12 and under free.

• All show nights: All Lincoln merchandise in the gift shop discounted (including Lincoln Amphitheatre t-shirts, clothing, etc.).

• All show nights: Abraham Lincoln museum open and a resource available to field any and all Lincoln-related questions.

• Thursday, July 5 and Thursday, July 12: Lincoln State Park employees and volunteers will teach the art of making yarn dolls. Children of all ages may participate free of charge from 6 – 7 p.m.

• Friday, July 6: Scout day. Tickets for any boy/girl scout older than 12 for only $12.

• Friday, July 6: Prior to the play’s start, the Red Bank ReUnion Band — a civil war regimental band — will perform from 6 – 7 p.m.

• Friday, July 6 and Friday, July 13: Lincoln-themed coloring pages and crayons will be available. Children may color and enter their page in a drawing for a Lincoln Amphitheatre grab bag, 6 – 7 p.m.

• Saturday, July 7 and Saturday, July 14: All children dressed in period, pioneer attire will receive one free popcorn from the concessions building.

For additional information about Lincoln Amphitheatre, single event ticketing, group ticket discounts, as well as about hosting employee or member appreciation nights this season, visit http://www.LincolnAmphitheatre.com or phone 812-937-2329.

Jasmine Ruckriegel is the director of the encore performance of “Young Abe Lincoln” put on by Actors Community Theatre. She gave final directions to the cast Monday evening before launching into the dress rehearsal.

Alicia Fortune, 10, Santa Claus, took direction from Jasmine Ruckriegel Monday evening during the dress rehearsal for the encore performance of “Young Abe Lincoln.”

Brothers Jeremiah (right) and Isaiah Marx, of South Bend, waited for the cue to take the stage during the dress rehearsal for “Young Abe Lincoln” Monday evening.

Ethan Fritch, 15, Jasper, climbed into a compartment of the merchant’s cart backstage in preparation for a scene. Fritch plays teen Abe in the ACT production of “Young Abe Lincoln.”

Kyle Rupert, Jasper, waits to take the stage for the first dance number during the dress rehearsal for “Young Abe Lincoln” held Monday evening.

Kimberly Martin of Huntingburg, 17, and Rhashaad Lee of Evansville, play escaped slaves Ginny and Jim in “Young Abe Lincoln.” Randy Murray plays Tunker, a traveling merchant assisting them in escaping slavery.

Molly Rupert, Jasper, reacts as Sarah Lincoln to the death of Nancy Hanks Lincoln played by Paige Murray of Newburgh.

Ethan Fritch, Jasper, plays Teen Abe mourning the death of his mother in the ACT production of “Young Abe Lincoln.”

Actors Randy Murray of Newburgh (seated) and Bud Schaaf of Santa Claus talk backstage between sets. Murray plays Tunker and Schaaf plays Alan Gentry in the ACT production of “Young Abe Lincoln.”

Dale Hutchison, 18, Chandler and Kimberly Martin, 18, Huntingburg, dance backstage to a musical number as they wait to enter.

The dance ensemble performs to a number during the dress rehearsal of “Young Abe Lincoln” held Monday evening.

Cast Members

Young Aaron: Grigsby Brice Austin

Young Nattie: Mason Bray

Thomas Lincoln: Kyle Burgess

Aaron Grigsby: Gavin Carter

Mrs. Brooner, Madam: Larissa Hurm

President Lincoln: Dean Dorrell

Ann Roby: Alicia Fortune

Teen Abe: Ethan Fritch

John D.: Devin Galloway

Matilda: Alaina Greenwood

Girl Sarah: Ella Hopf

Thomas Sparrow, Politician, River Boat Pirate: Dale Hutchison

Elizabeth: Ashleigh Kleiman

Dennis Hanks, Wrestler: Reilly Lechner

Jim: Rhashaad Lee

Lucy Brooner: Calista Martin

Ginny: Kimberly Martin

Reverend, River Boat Pirate: Kyle Meunier

Ruben Grigsby, Auctioneer: Elijah Miller

Sinbad, 2nd Angry Man, Fishmonger, Tracker: Jonnel Miranda

Nancy Hanks Lincoln: Paige Murray

Tunker: Randy Murray

Young Abe: Austin Rawlins

Henry Brooner: Brayden Reimann

Allen Gentry, Peter Brooner, Slave Master: Kyle Rupert

Sarah Lincoln, River Pirate: Molly Rupert

Mr. Gentry, Buyer: Bud Schaaf

Boy Abe: Sam Shappard

Mrs. Grigsby: Dorothy Sibrel

1st Angry Man, Billboard Man: Nolan Snyder

Nattie: Weston Whitehouse

Betsy Sparrow: Suzanne Wood

Sally Bush Johnston: Camille Woolston

Dance Ensemble: Olivia Hedinger, Weston Whitehouse, Melanie Patterson, Kyle Rupert, Molly Rupert, Gavin Carter, Larissa Hurm, Jonnel Miranda, Sophia Greenwood, Nolan Snyder, Camille Woolston, Devin Galloway, Ashleigh Kleiman, Dale Hutchinson, Courtney Blalock, Ethan Fritch, Kimy Martin, Rhashaad Lee, Alaina Greenwood, Alicia Fortune.

Ensemble: Courtney Blalock, Lydia Devillez, Olivia Hedinger, Alexis Kleiman, Melanie Patterson, Abby Seebode, Abi Wilson, Isaiah Marx, Jeremiah Marx, Katelyn Stefane, Madison Pierce-Holtzman, Penelope Roy, Sophia Greenwood, Karyssa Morgan