Special Performance: "Lilacs and Letters" | Springfield, Illinois | Visit Springfield
Events



March 6, 2025 - June 3, 2025
Select Days
1:15pm


Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum
212 N. 6th St. Springfield, Illinois 62701
217-558-8844

Included with Paid Admisison to the Musuem


 Website 
INFO

A single actor alone on a stage, portraying one of America's most influential poets as he processes the assassination of Abraham Lincoln and tends to wounded Civil War soldiers. That’s the compelling premise of the play “Lilacs & Letters" at the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum.

The play is set at the Armory Square Military Hospital in Washington, D.C., in the shadows of an early morning in 1865. Poet Walt Whitman, a hospital volunteer, sits among the sleeping wounded as he reflects on national grief and puts the finishing touches on poetry eulogizing President Lincoln.

The one-act play will be presented on a regular basis through June. All showings are at 1:15 pm. Tickets are free with regular admission to the museum. 

Every performance is followed by a chance for the audience to talk to Zaxxson Nation, who wrote the play and portrays Whitman. He will answer questions about Whitman, the war, researching and writing the play or anything else visitors want to ask.

The music for the production was composed by Randy Erwin, another ALPLM actor who is also a talented musician.

Here's the latest schedule of showtimes for "Lilacs & Letters"...


Thursday March 6
Friday March 7
Tuesday March 11
Thursday March 20
Friday March 21
Tuesday March 25

Thursday April 3
Friday April 4
Tuesday April 8
Thursday April 17
Friday April 18
Tuesday April 22

Thursday May 1
Friday May 2
Tuesday May 6
Thursday May 15
Friday May 16
Tuesday May 20
Thursday May 29
Friday May 30

Tuesday June 3