about the show

Tempting Mr. Lincoln is an original romantic musical comedy of gay historical fan fiction, loosely inspired by the filmography of Julia Roberts. Written by the award-winning Joel B. New (Undertaking Christmas, Monkey Trouble Unleashed!), Tempting Mr. Lincoln is a deliberately stupid, sweet, historically inaccurate, and queer AF cult musical hit in the making.

the story

Joshua Fry Speed is a general store clerk whose humdrum existence is thrown into romantic turmoil when a young hot lawyer named Abraham Lincoln appears in his shop. A chance encounter over spilled baby oil leads to a kiss that blossoms into a full-blown affair. As the average bloke and future President draw closer and closer together, they struggle to reconcile their radically different lifestyles in the name of love. Also, there’s time travel. Comedy, Book Musical, 90 Minutes, Pop/Rock, 8 Performers Minimum.


live recordings

from the 2022 premiere concert at the green room 42 (NYC)


Photos from the 2022 premiere concert of Tempting Mr. Lincoln

Presented by Benjwelo Theatricals at The Green Room 42 in NYC on Saturday, February 12th, 2022 (Lincoln’s birthday). Directed by Stanley Martin. Musical direction by Gillian Berkowitz. Starring Cicily Daniels, Madge Dietrich, Sean Fletcher, Joshua Hinck, Travis Kent, Stephen J. Mark, Charles Sanchez, and Gabe Violett.

Photo credit: Ben Shirai


development history

feb 2022 - world premiere concert at the green room 42 (NYC)

jan 2022 - private reading of act ii

sep 2021 - private reading of act i

apr 2021 - sneak peek in “joel b. new: back by annual demand” concert