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LeeU Theatre to Open Season With "Mary and Myra"

by Maysie Stewart

Cleveland, TN (09/15/2026) — Lee University Theatre will present "Mary and Myra" by Catherine Filloux on Sept. 25-26 and Oct. 1-3 at 7:30 p.m. in the Buzz Oates Blackbox Theatre.

The play, directed by Dr. Christine Williams, chair of Lee's Department of Communication Arts and professor of theatre, follows Mary Todd Lincoln, widow of President Abraham Lincoln, during her confinement in an insane asylum in the summer of 1875.

Along with the help of her friend Myra Bradwell, America's first female lawyer, Mary attempts to gain her release by exposing the injustices of her own trial. Myra's motives and Mary's sanity are both up for debate as they grapple with their pasts and their perceptions of freedom and womanhood.

"While historically these two women did exist, and the situation Mary Lincoln finds herself in did in fact happen, and Myra Bradwell did help gain her release from the institution, the conversations they had are not known to history," said Williams. "This play is a fascinating 'what if' journey into the minds and characters of these women."

The cast includes Lee students Alaina Duty as Mary Todd Lincoln and Sydney Krueger as Myra Bradwell.

The production crew includes Hannah Kendrick as stage manager and Carolina Riley as costume designer.

Tickets are available online through Eventbrite or at the Lee Theatre Box Office beginning Sept. 21, Monday-Friday from 4-6 p.m., and one hour before curtain time.

The box office and Buzz Oates Blackbox Theater are located in Lee University's Communication Arts Building at the corner of Central Avenue and Church Street.

"Mary and Myra" is produced by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals.

For more information on Lee Theatre, visit leeuniversity.edu/theatre, call the box office at (423) 614-8360, email theatre@leeuniversity.edu, or follow @LeeUTheatre on Facebook or @lee_theatre on Instagram.

PHOTO: Mary Todd Lincoln, played by Alaina Duty, contemplates her situation during the LeeU Theatre performance of "Mary and Myra," opening on Sept. 25 in the Buzz Oates Blackbox Theatre.

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Mary Todd Lincoln, played by Alaina Duty, contemplates her situation during the LeeU Theatre performance of "Mary and Myra," opening on Sept. 25 in the Buzz Oates Blackbox Theatre.

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