‘Lincoln’ Address Is Forceful yet Garbled

Larry Gold’s unfocused and logic-stretching “The Sons of Lincoln” isn’t about Abe. This feverishly passionate production by Casey Productions in association with the Lillian Group at the Lillian Theater is about a soft-spoken, modern-day racist named Lincoln.

This Lincoln hopes to continue the other Lincoln’s original plan--to repatriate all African Americans to Africa. To that end, he’s launching a bid for political office as he manipulates four young men (Jonathan Avildsen, Chad Allen, Lawrence Monoson and Tony Colitti).

Gold doesn’t explain why a seemingly intelligent man--played with calm, sinister menace by Bill Fagerbakke--would allow three dregs of society, who bubble with barely controlled racist rage, to be his front men. Colitti, on the other hand, has the preppy-proper grooming to be an adequate campaign staffer.

Gold throws in pseudo-sibling rivalry and a sleazoid radio producer (Joel Polis) and his African American has-been actor friend (Glynn Turman) in the mix. The script attempts to address racism, alienated youths, lost ideals, media sensationalism and more--none very well.

On Douglas D. Smith’s effectively chaotic set, where a ratty old couch and folding chairs are repaired haphazardly with different-colored duct tape, director Valerie Landsburg releases an agitated energy and fine, anger-charged performances. But with this flawed script, the production amounts to little more than white noise.

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* “The Sons of Lincoln,” Lillian Theater, 1076 N. Lillian Way, Hollywood. Thursdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m.; Sundays, 7 p.m. $20. (310) 289-2999. Running time: 2 hours, 15 minutes.