THE LINCOLN DEBATE ASKS THE QUESTION HISTORY WON’T: WAS ABRAHAM LINCOLN GAY?

THE LINCOLN DEBATE

The award-winning comedy The Lincoln Debate, written by Terry Ray and directed by Steve
Rosenbaum, arrives at the Hollywood Fringe Festival with a provocative question: Could Abraham
Lincoln have had a romantic relationship with the man he shared a bed with for four years, a man
historians describe as his “best friend”?

Inspired by Lincoln’s deeply affectionate letters to Joshua Speed, the play is a witty, fast-moving, and
surprisingly moving exploration grounded entirely in historical record. Nothing is invented. Every
moment is drawn from letters, diaries, and autobiographies of the time.

By laying the timelines side by side, Lincoln’s years living with Speed and his on-again, off-again
courtship of Mary Todd, the play reveals new insights into a pivotal period of his life. Through sharp
humor and inventive theatricality, The Lincoln Debate presents the facts and invites audiences to draw
their own conclusions. The most common response after the show: “I didn’t know any of this!”

The production features Jason Reale, Alex Price, Terry Ray, Kimleigh Smith, and Angela Landis.

The play has earned 7 Desert Theatre League Award nominations (including Best Comedy) and 8
BroadwayWorld Award nominations (including Best Play), winning 3 Desert Theatre League
Awards, including acting honors for Jason Reale and Alex Price.

“Jason Reale lights up the stage as Abraham Lincoln… a must-see.” — Stage and Cinema
“This play will blow your mind!” — Coachella Valley Independent

The Lincoln Debate was originally developed at The Bent in Palm Springs and comes to Hollywood
Fringe Festival 2026 for five performances only:
June 8 – 5:00 PM (Preview)
June 13 – 8:30 PM
June 21 – 7:30 PM
June 26 – 5:00 PM
June 27 – 12:00 PM

Broadwater Second Stage: 6320 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles CA

Tickets are available through the Hollywood Fringe Festival website:
https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/13640

For more info contact: Angela Landis, [email protected] 818-4386612