The Courtship of Carl Sandburg A play with music, in two acts by Bob Gibson Courting Lilian Steichen, the young and effervescent Carl Sandburg, hobo, salesman, lecturer, and Socialist organizer emerges as a writer. The play draws on Sandburg’s letters, poetry, children’s books and American Songbag and includes original music by folk legend Bob Gibson. Description Musical Play Drama 75 minutes Time period – 1908 to 1920 Place – Mid-America and certain far reaches of Carl Sandburg’s mind Set – Desk with lamp, telephone, scrapbook backdrop with sepia photos, newspaper clippings, early advertisements, circus posters, etc.