Over the course of seven debates, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas tackled the hot topics of their day: state's rights, slavery and the intent of the Constitution. The Rivalry captures the fiery rhetoric and wry humor of those debates, while adding the insights of Douglas's wife, Adele. As Lincoln and Douglas race for the chance to be U.S. Senator, Adele reexamines her own concepts of freedom. Ford's Theatre Director of Theatre Programming Mark Ramont directs Helen Hayes Award winner Rick Foucheux and Sarah Zimmerman (The Matchmaker) in the play The New York Times calls "evocative, inspiring, and stirring theatre."