Overview

A moving and powerful historical play by Howard Ginsberg. To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence, Ginsberg's dramatization of the remarkable friendship between two former presidents of the United States - with the forthright Mrs. Adams always playing a major role. The play spans 50 years of their friendship, beginning in the early days of the Republic, extending through two wars with England, and continuing through their vigorous retirement. They continually clashed over foreign entanglements, domestic politics, and the proper role of the Federal government - debates which continue to this day. In a fast-paced series of encounters, the play shows the turbulent relationship between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, as their friendship ignites, flourishes, ruptures and resolves itself. The perceptive Abigail Adams acts as a catalyst and motivator while steadfastly maintaining her own beliefs. Jefferson & Adams was first produced in 1995, at the Leatherstocking Theatre Company, Cooperstown, New York. It has been performed annually since 1995 in Colonial Williamsburg, Monticello and Poplar Forest, Virginia, and in Adams National Historical Park, Massachusetts.

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9781910798706

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Reviews

From audience members: ""The play Jefferson & Adams we saw last night is one of the finest we have ever seen! What a fabulous way to learn history! I sat in the audience wishing that every single person in our country could see this play and learn about the relationship between these extraordinary leaders! How blessed was our young country to have these men to guide and mold it."" ""Even in the days after the play, I continued to think about different parts: some funny, some touching, and some just of value for historical significance. I find myself wondering what any of the three would think of today's world."" ""We enjoyed Jefferson & Adams enormously. Even in the best of times it is a delight to be reminded of the humanity and wisdom of our founding fathers (and of Abigail Adams, who should be designated a founding mother!), and of the friendship that existed between two of the most eminent of them, in spite of their conflicts and differences. In today's difficult times, the pure light of their Enlightenment wisdom is all the more to be cherished and portrayals such as this very much to be desired."" ""Our deep thanks for treating us to that fabulous production, Jefferson & Adams! What a wonderful way to learn history and to understand our heritage. I really hope there is a way for this production to live on. We loved every second of it. Bravo! Bravo! Bravo! Jefferson & Adams do live on."" ""The production of Jefferson & Adams was the most inspiring and moving piece I've seen in years. It certainly won't soon be forgotten."" ""Jefferson & Adams humanized titans, and made us all more humane and committed in the process."" - Jane Kamensky, President & CEO, Thomas Jefferson Foundation

Author Information

Playwright Howard Ginsberg has been writing much of his life, primarily stage plays but also radio and screenplays. He draws upon his extensive experience as a psycho-analytic psychotherapist to explore and illuminate the complexity of his characters. Four of his theatre plays have been successfully produced in both the UK and U.S., including Murder in Paris, a BBC Radio adaptation (starring Alan Bates). His plays include: My Matisse, Madoff's Ponzi Partner, and The Mysterious Gift To Virginia Woolf. He is a graduate of City College of New York (psychology major) and completed graduate studies (psychiatric casework) at the University of Pennsylvania. Howard has been a member of the U.S. Dramatists Guild for over 25 years.

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