The Past Comes Alive in The Lincoln Dress, a New Piper Theatre Play

Ghostwritten for Rachel Wood, Brown Harris Stevens blog
Photo by Jeremy Amar

For just three intimate evenings, the Old Stone House will be visited by ghosts from the past as The Lincoln Dress takes to the stage. The world-premiere Piper Theatre production is written and directed by John P. McEneny, Artistic Director and co-founder of the theatre.

The intense yet beautiful play merges a historical ghost story with an exploration of class and racial disparity to create a truly unique experience. See the haunting production this week, before it makes its way to Europe. You can get tickets here.

The Story

As Abraham Lincoln lay gravely injured in his box at Ford’s Theatre, socialite and friend Clara Harris witnessed the chaos unfolding. She—dressed in a white satin gown—watched in horror as both her fiancé and the president were attacked by John Wilkes Booth. In the melee, her dress became soaked in her fiancé’s blood, and rumor has it, the president’s blood, too.

Unsure of what to do with the blood-soaked dress after the tragic event, Clara kept it in a closet inside her family’s summer home in Albany. What followed were rumors of ghosts, hauntings, and a series of tragic events that centered around this ill-fated relic.

The Lincoln Dress is set over 50 years later, in an Albany boardinghouse during the Great Depression. A cast of complex characters—a maid, a sex worker, a war veteran, and a man recently released from a mental institution—plot to steal the cursed dress.

Though the play involves paranormal happenings, it’s more than just a ghost story. It is also an exploration of race and class disparity, and the reverberations of the Civil War long after Lincoln’s death.

The Theatre

For nearly 20 years, Piper Theatre has told innovative, boundary-pushing stories while showcasing the talent of emerging artists and engaging the community.

I was drawn to the organization because of its community-driven spirit and support of young talent. As President of Piper Theatre’s board, I am so proud of the incredible work the organization does in Park Slope and throughout Brooklyn.

You can find out more about Piper Theatre here. If you have any questions about the organization and its programs, feel free to get in touch.