The musical covers the life of Abraham Lincoln from his earliest attempts at self-improvement through the 1860 election which made him the 16th president of an already fracturing United States.

Also explored is Lincoln's youth as a flatboat pilot on the Mississippi, his early love for Ann Rutledge, his troubled marriage to the difficult and mentally fragile Mary Todd, and his attempt to be a good father to his sons.

[1] During the 2009 Lincoln Bicentennial Year, Muddy River Opera Company in Quincy, Illinois (a city which hosted one of the historic Lincoln-Douglas debates) produced the World Premiere of Abe.

The production team included stage director Mark Meier, musical director/conductor Scott Schoonover and choreographer Drew Quintero.

[5] The Hannibal Courier-Post cited the musical as "an entertaining evening, merging history and insight into the personalities of people in Lincoln’s life.

"[6] Other roles include: Jim Rutledge, Denton Offutt, Jack Armstrong, Mrs. Cameron, Elizabeth Edwards, and Lincoln's sons Robert, Willie and Tad.

Scene 3 Visiting the Rutledge tavern one night, Abe realizes that he has fallen in love with Ann (A Girl Like Her) yet cannot imagine her ever returning his feelings.

Scene 2 Elected to one term in the United States House of Representatives in 1846, Abe finds it impossible, despite attempts from family and friends, to compromise his ideals (Someone).

Soon after Mary criticizes Abe on the manner in which he treats her in public, but admits to being overly sensitive since he lost the election to the United States Senate the previous year.

Scene 4 Abe visits the photography studio of Mathew Brady in February 1860 where he encounters a boy who has memorized his “House Divided” speech.