A Striking Tale of the Life of
Frederick Douglass and the Fight Against Slavery at Ridgefield Theater Barn
RIDGEFIELD, CT: As a combined
commemoration of the 150th anniversaries of the Civil War and Black History
Month, The Ridgefield Theater Barn is presenting a premier reading of an
original play about Frederick Douglass’ life and the events related to the
abolition of slavery. “The Fable of the Man and the Lion” is a new work by a
South Salem playwright, Myles Gansfried.
As Mr. Gansfried says, “What captivated me were the parallel and improbable
stories of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. In the indirect relationship
and brief encounters between these colossi of the the mid-19th century there
were the ingredients for a riveting play.”
He knew he was onto something when he happened upon the story of Miss Ottilie
Assing, who immigrated alone to the United States in the late eighteen fifties,
a singularly unusual event for that day. As a correspondent for several German
newspapers, Ottilie soon became fascinated by slavery, the evil that was rapidly
dividing the nation. While reading Frederick Douglass’ “My Bondage My Freedom”
Ottilie appears to have fallen in love.
As she became a part of Douglass’ life her influence and inspiration helped to
define a broader interpretation of freedom in terms of loosening the boundaries
upon women’s lives, the interpretation of religion, and the freedom to love.
“The more that I learned about this remarkable woman, the more I understood
Douglass, and through Douglass I gained an understanding of Lincoln’s role in
the story of the ending of slavery in our country. I believe that the play is
the result of my journey.”
Mr. Gansfried hopes “The Fable of the Man and the Lion,” will enable viewers to
embark upon a similar journey from which they will emerge with a revitalized
view of this defining time in terms of the real people that shaped history.
A reading of The Fable of the Man and the Lion, directed by Jenny Gantwerker and
produced by Marla Manning, is being presented with free admission on Sunday,
January 29th at 2:00 pm, at the Ridgefield Theater Barn. Please visit the
website at
http://ridgefieldtheaterbarn.org for more information.
