Tony Award winner Brian Stokes Mitchell (Kiss Me, Kate; Ragtime) will return to the stage next year, playing President Abraham Lincoln in the La Jolla Playhouse world premiere of the new musical 3 Summers of Lincoln.
Directed by Tony winner Christopher Ashley, performances are scheduled for February 18–March 23, 2025, in the Playhouse's Mandell Weiss Theatre.
Mitchell will be joined on stage by Eric Anderson (The Great Gatsby) as George B. McClellan, Carmen Cusack (Bright Star, Flying Over Sunset) as Mary Todd Lincoln, and Quentin Earl Darrington (MJ: The Musical, Once On This Island) as Frederick Douglass. Additional casting will be announced at a later date.
3 Summers of Lincoln, which features a book by Joe DiPietro, lyrics by Daniel J. Watts and DiPietro, and music by Crystal Monee Hall, is set in summer 1862 as the Civil War has been raging for more than a year, and President Abraham Lincoln must find a way to end the conflict. Enter powerful abolitionist Frederick Douglass. If he can meet Lincoln face to face, he can help the president cement a vision of the future that ends slavery along with the war, all while preserving the Union. Just three meetings took place between the two men—pivotal conversations between two brilliant leaders that shaped the course of history.
“What an honor to have this incredible group of actors on board to embody their four riveting characters in 3 Summers of Lincoln,” said Ashley in a statement. “Each one brings boundless talent and keen insight to the project, and I am so looking forward to collaborating with them on this bold new work that spotlights a history-changing friendship through a singular lens and soaring original music.”
The upcoming production will also have co-choreography by Jon Rua and Watts with additional creative team members to be announced.
Tickets are currently available via a season subscription at LaJollaPlayhouse.org. Single tickets will go on sale in November.
