Abraham Lincoln for the Defense: A Boy on Trial for His Life
Presented by Wits' End Theatre
Friday, February 23 - 7:30pm
Saturday, February 24 - 7:30pm
Friday, March 2 - 7:30pm
Saturday, March 3 - 7:30pm
Potter Auditorium - Main Floor only
General Admission - $15 in advance or day of
It’s a dramatic story. A man attacked and killed in the dark of night. A widow’s son accused of the murder. A jury trial that will decide whether the boy hangs. Now add the most interesting part—Abraham Lincoln defends the young man at trial—and you have a fascinating tale.
The play was written by Chatfield native Joe Chase. “It was Lincoln’s most famous trial,” says Chase, “and one of his last.” The defendant was a young man named William “Duff” Armstrong. Duff’s mother, Hannah, was Lincoln’s old friend. When Duff was charged with the 1857 murder of James Preston Metzker, Hannah asked Lincoln to defend the boy.
About Wits' End Theatre: Wits' End Theatre is proud to be the resident company of the Chatfield Center for the Arts, and has presented entertaining and inspiring theatrical productions in historic Potter Auditorium for fourteen years. Wits' End is a non-profit with a mission to produce theatre for all ages and to teach volunteers the craft of theatre both onstage and behind the scenes. The organization hopes to instill a broad appreciation of the benefits and joy the dramatic arts can bring to a community.