The Rivalry

The Rivalry, Corwin’s riveting depiction of the Abraham Lincoln-Stephen Douglas Illinois Senate debates, incorporates dialogue from the original debate transcripts to bring to life the fierce competition between the future president and the incumbent senator as they tackled the day's most controversial issues and the American concept of freedom. This dramatic radio play eloquently reminds us of a time when political debate engaged Americans in a way that screeching talking heads and the blogosphere cannot, and it underscores the impact of words and their effective communication in shaping public policy. The Rivalry is also a stunning testament to the willingness of Lincoln and Douglas to put aside their differences and “reach across the aisle” for the good of the country. Raising questions of human values and rights that still polarize our nation, the play examines the “proper” role of the federal government in the lives of citizens.

The Norton Center has planned numerous engagement activities surrounding this performance. For a full list of these events, which are open to the public, use the download link below or click here.

Media Support for The Rivalry has been provided by: WEKU
For information on WEKU please visit: http://weku.fm/