Lincoln in the Bardo Immersive Cemetery Preview

Set over the course of a single night in a Georgetown cemetery during the Civil War, Lincoln in the Bardo imagines President Abraham Lincoln returning to the grave of his beloved eleven-year-old son, Willie, whose death has shattered him. Trapped between this life and the next in a realm called the bardo, a chorus of restless spirits watches as Lincoln confronts an impossible grief while carrying the weight of a nation at war. Tender, funny, heartbreaking, and ultimately life-affirming, the story explores what it means to let go, to love, and to carry on after unimaginable loss. 

On September 25th, audiences will journey deep into the heart of Green-Wood along a historic path adorned with music, dance, spoken word, and theatrical encounters inspired by the novel’s haunting world of spirits. As night falls, an intimate performance featuring stars of the Metropolitan Opera production will begin, followed by a conversation with Mazzoli and Vavrek moderated by music journalist Amanda Petrusich about bringing Saunders’s masterpiece to the operatic stage.

Ticket options include General Admission seating in chairs and on the grass (with tastings of spirits and non-alcoholic offerings, along with light snacks) and Premium Seating at reserved tables (which also includes a bottle of wine).

THE SHORT STORY

The world premiere of Lincoln in the Bardo will be the cultural event of the season, and you can say you heard it first in the Cemetery…a once-in-a-lifetime preview of this profoundly moving tale of a father grieving his son, and a president grappling with the soul of a nation.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

You’ll enter through Green-Wood’s iconic Gothic Arch at sunset before setting off on a walk through the Cemetery. Before you get to the stage, enjoy musicians, dancers, actors, and other performers as they transform the landscape into an echo of the novel’s mysterious bardo, alongside tastings of spirits and non-alcoholic offerings accompanied by light snacks. Then everyone will gather for an intimate performance of excerpts from Lincoln in the Bardo and a conversation with the creative team behind one of the year’s most anticipated new operas.

EVENT DETAILS

6:00-7:30 PM – Pre-Show Immersive Experience (staggered entry based on ticket purchase, see below)

7:30-8:30 PM – Mainstage Preview of Lincoln in the Bardo

8:30-9:00 PM – Return to the Gothic Arch

Ticket Tiers:

$400 – Premium seating for four at a reserved table near the stage (price includes all four seats at the table), with complimentary beverages at your table and entry beginning at 6:00 PM

$65 – General admission seating in chairs and entry beginning at 6:00 PM

$15 – General admission seating on the grass (small blankets permitted, no chairs or picnics allowed) and entry beginning at 6:30 PM

Member Discount:Green-Wood and Death of Classical members receive 20% off the above ticket price for the General admission seating in chairs and on the grass. PLEASE NOTE, there is no Member Discount on Premium Seating at tables.

Before Purchasing A Ticket, Please Note:

• Ticket sales are final, no refunds or exchanges! In case of inclement weather all tickets will be honored on Saturday, September 26th. If you cannot make the rain date, you may transfer the tickets to a friend. If you choose not to make use of the tickets on the rain date, no refund will be provided.
• Tasting is for attendees 21 years of age or older with proof of ID. Spirits tasting, water, and some light snacks are free.
• Grass Seating: Those in this section are encouraged to bring a blanket. Lawn chairs, picnics, and outside food are not permitted. 
• Tickets: There is no need to print tickets! Attendees will be checked in by name.
• Where To Go: Check-in begins at 6:30pm and ONLY takes place at the Main Entrance on Fifth Avenue and 25th Street (500 25th Street). Doors open at 7pm and the performance begins at 8pm. Please note there is no early entry, and the gates close promptly at 8pm.
• Parking: There is no on-site parking available.
• Accessibility and Safety: The performance site is a 20-minute walk on hilly and uneven terrain. We strongly encourage attendees to wear suitable footwear. Trolley service to and from the site is provided, but will still require a 5-minute walk to the performance site. If you have any questions or concerns regarding disability-related accommodations for this program, please call 718-768-7300 or email events@green-wood.com
• Inclement Weather Policy: We monitor weather conditions throughout the day for the best chance of proceeding with the program, and will not make a final decision until approximately 3 hours before the start of the event. Cancellations will be announced via Eventbrite email blasts, so check your email and spam folders.