Great works of art are not created simply as a form of entertainment. The authors, painters, composers or choreographers have something to say and in the process, they help those who see their work better understand themselves, society and history.
Audiences in Sarasota have a rare opportunity to be educated, touched and inspired by American history with the Asolo Repertory Theatre’s ongoing production of “1776” and Steven Spielberg’s powerful new film “Lincoln.”
The two work well together because the film, in effect, carries on a major dramatic element of the stage musical — the debate to end slavery.
Both show the inner workings of congressional deliberation over issues large (independence, war, slavery) and small.
For “1776,” the big issue is American independence from Great Britain, something most members of the Continental Congress supported in theory. In overly simplistic terms, the sticking point becomes the wording of the document, a major focus of the musical.
While some wanted to work toward a reconciliation (despite the war raging around them), others saw independence as the only viable option.
But what to do about slavery, or what South Carolina’s Edward Rutledge refers to as the South’s “peculiar institution and a cherished way of life”? The Southern states were not willing to give up slavery for independence, prompting a climactic conflict that keeps audiences wondering if the declaration will ever be approved and under what terms.
Even though we know how it all turned out, I think it’s safe to say that most of us don’t remember the details of how it happened.
We do know, however, that the delegates thought the cause of independence trumped anything else, and if acceding to the South was the only way to win the required unanimous approval, then it had to be done, however reluctantly.
It was the 1776 version of the fiscal cliff, Congress kicking the can down the road on big issues for others to consider.
The musical’s story is a perfect set-up for the several months in 1865 chronicled in “Lincoln,” featuring some stunning performances led by Daniel Day Lewis and a beautiful script by Tony Kushner.
Lincoln is pressing for a way to end the Civil War and to finally abolish slavery with final congressional approval of the 13th amendment.
It wasn’t an easy fight. As in 1776 and 2012, representatives have their particular grievances, their efforts to grab a little power or exert some influence or promising patronage jobs for votes. There were threats, bullying, intimidation and a bit of cockiness on display.
And there was much consternation among his backers at the way Lincoln was trying to win a surrender by the Confederacy before getting the amendment approved. You can’t have both, he was often told.
These are two dramas that cover the small details that make up the bigger picture — the drive to win independence and the drive to end slavery. It took nearly 100 years before Congress and the states ratified the 13th amendment, freeing slaves, and even more decades before those former slaves and their descendants were finally given a sense of equality.
The racial divide continues all around us. It’s the subject of another show coming up at Florida Studio Theatre called “The Best of Enemies.” It’s about an unexpected bond discovered between a former leader of the Ku Klux Klan and a black civil rights activist who find out they have plenty in common, despite the years of hatred they have carried all their lives against the other race.
Those attitudes are the lingering results of long-ago battles that provide plenty of drama to keep us exploring who we are, where we’ve come from and how we might move forward together as one constantly changing nation.
I will be leading a post-show discussion on “1776” on Tuesday. The talkback is free. For ticket information: 351-8000; asolorep.org. For information on “The Best of Enemies”: 366-9000; floridastudiotheatre.org.
Contact Jay Handelman at email@example.com. Be sure to “like” Arts Sarasota on Facebook, Follow me on twitter at twitter.com/jayhandelman.