A. LINCOLN: A PIONEER TALE Debuts in Lincoln City Tonight, 6/8

A southern Indiana theatre will feature 14 local actors in the premiere of its new signature Lincoln production. The two-act musical play A.Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale will debut at the 1500-seat, covered Lincoln Amphitheatre tonight, June 8. Playwright Ken Jones wrote the new play into a family-friendly presentation of Lincoln's Indiana Boyhood story into a two-act musical production. A. Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale will include an original score of ten songs with lyrics by Christine Jones and composed by Jamey Strawn.

"This new musical will show that as the boy grew to a man in Indiana, and through determination of spirit and a compassion for the people, this common American achieved greatness. With this new musical play, audiences will experience and celebrate the life and times of this extraordinary man through song, dance, and spectacle," says Jones, who is also directing the production.

The 14 locals come from Dubois, Pike, Spencer, Vanderburgh, Warrick, and Daviess, KY, counties:

Shane Denu, Jasper, IN
Haley Flamion, Jasper, IN
Barbara Moss, Holland, IN
Austin Rawlins, Jasper, IN
Jasmine Ruckriegel, Jasper, IN
Kara Skorge, Jasper, IN
Tyler Smith, Velpen, IN
Sienna Crews, Lincoln City, IN
William Koch, Santa Claus, IN
Grant Shepard, Dale, IN
MaryAnne Mathews, Evansville, IN
Kyle Burgess, Boonville, IN
Weston Whitehouse, Boonville, IN
Travis Black, Owensboro, KY

Lincoln Amphitheatre is located on the grounds President Lincoln walked as a boy growing up in southern Indiana. Lincoln lived in Indiana from the time he was seven years old to 21 years of age. He received his less than one year of formal education in Indiana, studied by candlelight, and lost his mother, Nancy Hanks to milk sickness and his sister, Sarah Lincoln Grigsby in childbirth.

Lincoln Amphitheatre will premiere A.Lincoln: A Pioneer Tale on Friday, June 8 and run Wednesday to Saturday evenings until June 30 with one Sunday matinee on July 1. Evening performances begin at 7:30p.m. CDT and the matinee will begin at 2 p.m. CDT. Ticket prices are $18 for adults; $15 for seniors ages 55 and older, students ages seven to 21, and military; and $5 for children ages six and under. An optional homestyle buffet meal including fried chicken, roast beef, green beans, corn, and slaw is available for an additional charge to guests who reserve at least seven days in advance.

For more information about tickets and Lincoln Amphitheatre's 2012 season, visit www.LincolnAmphitheatre.org or call 800-264-4223.