Quincy, IL — By writing a script and lyrics for the musical “Abe,” that tells the story of Abe Lincoln’s life from of his arrival in New Salem, Ill., in 1829 until his election as president in 1860, Lee Goldsmith has created an entertaining evening, merging history and insight into the personalities of people in Lincoln’s life.

New Yorker opera star Samuel Hepler came to Quincy, Ill., to portray Abe in this Muddy River Opera Co. production at the Quincy Community Theatre on Friday and Sunday.

Hepler portrayed a relaxed, joking Abe, who occasionally turned serious and refused to compromise his stand against slavery, even if it meant the end of his political career.

The Muddy River Opera was excited to be presenting the world premiere of Abe. Avril Marie Bernzen, Muddy River artistic director and general manager, had received a brochure from the promoter and said after reading the script she “fell in love with it” and requested the premiere be scheduled in Quincy.

The music by Roger Anderson was energetically presented by a large group of Quincy, Ill., residents, who joined Hepler and other vocalists from St. Louis and elsewhere.

Abe’s first appearance in the play is his 1831 arrival at New Salem, where he had been hired as clerk in Denton Offutt’s store. New Salem’s “15 houses, a 100 people” are noted in a rollicking tune.

Asked why he left Hardin County, Ky., Abe said “a serpent reared its head in the Garden of Eden (Hardin County)” when books told him about a “great big place outside.”

Several scenes later, in 1835, Abe becomes engaged to Ann Rutledge, whose father owns a tavern in New Salem. Both Ann - pleasantly played by Elise LaBarge of St. Louis - and Abe have ample opportunities to tunefully share their feelings for each other.

Later in 1835, Abe is grieving for Ann, who has died of a fever. (He never forgets her and was still carrying a ribbon she gave him and “talking” to her as he prepares to serve as president.)

In the next scene Abe is a new lawyer in Springfield, Ill., and has taken Billy Herndon as his law partner. Herndon, a lawyer with a strong anti-slavery viewpoint - and a drinking habit - is entertainingly enacted by Robert Boldin, a native of Pittsburgh.

Although plagued by doubts, Abe later marries Mary Todd (professionally portrayed by Joy Boland of St. Louis), who has been pursuing him over several years and appears even more ambitious for his political career than Abe himself. His election to the state Legislature in 1846 begins his political career.

A Christmas scene involves Abe’s three sons and later includes Mary’s first signs of an emotional instability that continues throughout her life.

After making his “House Divided” speech, Abe is encouraged to seek the presidency, and his campaign and election are patriotically depicted in song.

By the final scene, although he has been elected president, Abe is still asking himself (in song) “who are you?” as he prepares to board the train for Washington with Mary and their three sons.

Portraying Abe is challenging - Samuel Hepler

After the play on Sunday, Samuel Hepler said portraying Lincoln was challenging “for a number of reasons. Most people have an opinion about what Lincoln looked like or what they believe he was like. “I had the unenviable task of having to try to gather all of those ideas of Lincoln and make a character out of it,” Hepler said. “We only know so much and can only gather so much information from the historical data. I think there would be those who would debate whether Ann was actually ever really involved in his life. I think there are some who would say there was a relationship and others who say they just knew each other.

“There have been immense amounts of things written about the man,” he added. “People have analyzed everything that he ever wrote, everything that he has ever done, every word they know he ever spoke, and I think we all have our own view of who Lincoln was.”

Although this was a world premiere with only two performances of Abe, Hepler said he “would love to do it again. It always depends on who is doing the producing and who is doing the casting.” He was excited about being able to do the world premiere.

Whether opera or a musical such as Abe, Hepler said, “it is rewarding to get the audience’s response and know they have enjoyed the experience. It gives me fulfillment to bring joy to other people.”

Among the Quincy members of the cast was Ian Taylor, who portrayed Lincoln’s oldest son, Robert. Taylor, who has been dancing since age 5, is a junior at Quincy Senior High. He plan a career in musical theater, hopefully in New York after attending college.

“What I was most excited about is, it was the world premiere,” Taylor said, “and it was awesome to work with all these out-of-town professionals. It was so much fun.”

Scott Schoonover came from St. Louis three weeks ago to conduct the orchestra, which was chosen by Muddy River Opera. He has conducted three previous Muddy River productions.

“I loved it very much,” Schoonover said of Abe’s music. “It’s a good story, and the music fits well. The music comes from that time period and is very singable and very interesting.”