In 1863, abolitionist, orator, and writer
Frederick Douglass traveled down from Rochester, New York during the Civil War determined to get a meeting with President Abraham Lincoln—and he succeeded. A year later, the roles were flipped, and Lincoln wanted to see Douglass. These two meetings are the core of playwright
Richard Hellesen’s
Necessary Sacrifices, which Ford’s Theatre is presenting as a radio play directed by
Psalmayene 24. From Douglass’ extensive published efforts, we know some of the history of of what those two spoke about, including specifics about Black Union soldiers, but thanks to a mostly clever script,
Craig Wallace’s deep baritone as Douglass, and