Events
Performance
Thursday, February 25, 6:30pm
Great Hall
7 East 7th Street
Free, tickets are required. Distribution will begin at 4pm on event day in front of Cooper Union's Foundation Building (East 7th St. b/w 3rd and 4th Aves) on a first-come, first-served basis.
COMMEMORATING THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY
OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S "RIGHT MAKES MIGHT" SPEECH
Featuring acclaimed actors Richard Dreyfuss, André De Shields, Kathleen Chalfant, and Stephen Lang; former New York Governor Mario Cuomo; and Lincoln scholars Harold Holzer and Frank Williams, retired Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court
Great Evenings in the Great Hall, The Cooper Union's dynamic performance series celebrating its 150th anniversary, will offer a powerfull finale by recreating one of the most influential presentations ever given in its historic hall: Lincoln's pivotal "Right Makes Might" speech from 1860. Widely considered the turning point for the still-obscure Illinois senator, Abraham Lincoln's forceful appearance 150 years ago at The Cooper Union is credited with helping him secure the nomination for president. Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Richard Dreyfuss (Jaws, The Goodbye Girl, Close Encounters), Tony, Obie and Drama Desk honoree André De Shields (The Wiz, The Full Monty), Obie and Drama Desk winner Kathleen Chalfant (Wit) and film actor and Tony nominee Stephen Lang (Avatar, The Speed of Darkness) will voice the stirring words that changed a nation along with former New York Governor Mario Cuomo and retired Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court Frank Williams. Lincoln scholar and co-chairman of the United States Lincoln Bicentennial Commission Harold Holzer will introduce the evening filled with fiery oration and period music. Michael Unger will direct this free performance, which will also feature a display of historic Lincoln documents courtesy of Seth Kaller, Inc.
In memory of John Jay Iselin, 10th President of The Cooper Union, this program is the second annual John Jay Iselin lecture, a collaboration of The Cooper Union and the New York State Archives Partnership Trust.
