Mary Todd: A New American Musical

About the play: Bluegrass Opera is presenting this world premiere musical in honor of Mary Todd Lincoln’s 200th birthday (which is later this year), and we just received a grant to help us take it on the road to schools, libraries, museums, and other community groups around the state. The story follows the future First Lady as she struggles to navigate the world of the American South as a teenager during the 1830s. From a complicated relationship with her cold stepmother and well-meaning father to her warm and adventurous relationship with central Kentucky's African American community, and from bright dances at her finishing school to odd apothecary shops, Mary is never a traditional "young lady," but she does discover the varied colors and tones of adulthood. Developed in consultation with historians and experts, and supported by grants from the HSG Foundation and LexArts, Mary Todd is not just about one woman; it's about the coming-of-age of Kentucky – just as Mary is faced with deciding what sort of person she will be, our Commonwealth and our country are at a similar crossroads. The work prominently highlights the issue of women’s rights, and also features strong women of color, including a slave in the Todd household (Sally) and a freed black woman (Catherine L’Espoire) seeking to secure her husband’s freedom. Audience Appropriateness: Grades 4 through adult (study guides available for teachers of grades 4, 5, and 8 who wish to bring classes)