In the opening scene of Democracy, Baron Jacobi introduces us to the characters in the play. As President Grant and his wife Julia walk by, Jacobi notes her crossed eyes and explains:
When they came to the White House, she wanted an operation. The President said no! He could not bear his great burden without the cross-eyed girl he had loved all these years.
I was thinking about this line as I was setting up the links on the Democracy Dramaturgy page – included in the research prepared by Sarah Moeller and Katie Vandehey, co-dramaturgs on the production, is a comprehensive biography of Julia Boggs Dent Grant, including this photo of the cross-eyed girl that Ulysses loved.
We spent the first two days of rehearsal going through this information, giving all of the actors, designers and the director the background information they needed before creating the world of this play. It’s here on the blog for them – and for you – to browse. Enjoy!
Filed under: democracy
