Forget all of your stereotypes about fraternity boys. Beer and sports were the farthest things from the cast of “My Dear Lincoln,” a musical written and performed by the brothers of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity.
The musical opened and closed Saturday night and portrayed Abraham Lincoln as a schizophrenic who has visions of past loves, his children, and General Robert E. Lee.
“Some fraternities have mixers and philanthropy events; we wanted to created something,” said freshman brother Nicholas Sanchiz, who plays William Seward, Lincoln’s sassy secretary.
In order to pay for the set, promotional materials, props, and costumes, the fraternity created a kickstarter campaign to raise money. The cast has been rehearsing for weeks to get every step, line, and kiss perfect.
The cast of the musical had the crowd laughing from the first line all the way to the end of the show as they cracked jokes at Chef Josè Andrès, Jay Sean, and everything in between.
“My expectations were exceeded,” said sophomore Katie Takeuchi. “I was entertained the whole time and thought it was really funny.”
Writer and director Colin O’Brien presented the idea to his chapter when he became song leader of Beta Theta Pi. While his position had been typically very inactive, O’Brien thought a musical would be a great way to do something with it.
When O’Brien decided to write the musical, he sent an email to his chapter inviting his brothers to participate. Receiving 12 responses, he began writing the script. The cast has been practicing since late February and the script was tweaked to fit each of their personalities.
“It started as a bad joke and everyday it became more and more real,” said Chase Hardin, who played Lincoln.
The audience thought the fraternity brothers were successful in creating an entertaining musical. The brothers earned a standing ovation at the end of the last act.
“We were just trying to have fun,” said actor, Avery Jaffe. “And we did.”