RSS FeedFord’s Theatre Is Opening This Week!
Three cheers for the fact that Ford’s Theatre (511 10th Street NW) is reopening this week! To celebrate, they are hosting a grand opening tomorrow Wednesday night (by invitation only…don’t try to show up if you don’t have an invitation) and two open house events – one on February 12 and the other on February 16 (the general public can show up to the open house events but you need a ticket to gain entry). We assembled a few details from the press releases about each event below including how you can get tickets for the open houses.
All open house events are free and open to the public, however tickets are required for all visitors two years of age and older. Free ticket distribution from the Ford’s Theatre Box Office starts at 8:30 am on February 12 and 16. Final entry to the theatre is 4:15 pm.
February 11 – Grand Reopening Celebration (by invitation only)
Ford’s Theatre Society will host a Grand Reopening Celebration on Wednesday, February 11, 2009, at Ford’s Theatre (511 10th Street NW). The invitation-only evening will include the presentation of the Lincoln Medal to filmmaker George Lucas and screen legend Sidney Poitier, whose accomplishments exemplify the character and lasting legacy of President Abraham Lincoln. The evening’s performance, titled “Birth and Rebirth: A Celebration of the Lincoln Bicentennial and Reopening of Ford’s Theatre,” is a tribute to Abraham Lincoln and his legacy, including appearances by Katie Couric, Kelsey Grammer, James Earl Jones, Ben Vereen, Jeffrey Wright, the President’s Own Marine Band, Patrick Lundy and the Ministers of Music, Audra McDonald and Jessye Norman. Following the performance, guests dine at the National Portrait Gallery.
February 12 – Open House (open to the public holding tickets)
The site will commemorate Lincoln’s 200th birthday with a wreath-laying at 8:45 am. From 9 am to 1 pm, visitors will enjoy performances on the hour by the Federal City Brass Band, watch presentations of Lincoln speeches by D.C. area students and participate in Ranger-led interpretive programs commemorating Lincoln’s presidency.
Schedule
8:30 am – Box Office opens for ticket distribution
8:45 am – Wreath-laying by the National Park Service in front of the historic theatre
9 am – Lobby doors open – Federal City Brass Band performs and rangers lead interpretive program
9 am to 10 am – Area students present Lincoln speeches
10 am – Federal City Brass Band performs and rangers lead interpretive program
10 am to 11 am – Area students present Lincoln speeches
11 am – Federal City Brass Band performs and rangers lead interpretive program
11 am to 12 Noon – Area students present Lincoln speeches
12 Noon – Federal City Brass Band performs and rangers lead interpretive program
12 Noon to 1 pm – Area students present Lincoln speeches
1:15 pm – 4:15 pm – Rangers lead interpretive programs
February 16 – Open House (open to the public holding tickets)
Visitors are invited to hear a staged reading of the new one-act play “The Road from Appomattox” by Richard Hellesen, watch performances of One Destiny and hear excerpts from the musical “The Civil War,” and participate in Ranger-led interpretive programs. Washington, D.C.-based bakery CakeLove will be on site at Ford’s Theatre during the event from 11 am to 3 pm with complimentary cupcakes for visitors to help commemorate the Lincoln Bicentennial. Quantities are limited.
Ford’s Theatre also will be holding a one-day sale on tickets to its preview week performances of “The Civil War.” Tickets will be sold for $20 and must be purchased in person at the Ford’s Theatre Box Office on Monday, February 16.
Schedule
8:30 am – Box Office opens for ticket distribution
9 am – Lobby doors open
9:15 am – Rangers lead interpretive program
10:15 am – Rangers lead interpretive program
11:15 am – Rangers lead interpretive program
12:15 pm – Performance of “One Destiny”
Ford’s Theatre interprets the events leading up to President Lincoln’s assassination with a captivating performance that brings the drama and emotion of the Civil War alive. Written by playwright Richard Hellesen, “One Destiny” tells the story of Lincoln’s last night through the voices of the men who worked in the theatre.
1:15 pm – Excerpts from “The Civil War”
Explore the musical landscape of the people, voices and sentiments of the American Civil War, inspired by the words of Walt Whitman, Frederick Douglass, Sojourner Truth and Abraham Lincoln as well as the lives (as documented through letters, photographs and journals) of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. “The Civil War” will be presented in its entirety at Ford’s Theatre from March 24 to May 27, 2009.
2:15 pm – Performance of “One Destiny” (see 12:15 pm description)
3:15 pm – Performance of “The Road from Appomattox”
Confederate General Robert E. Lee’s surrender to Union General Ulysses S. Grant is well-recorded, but their short meeting the next day less so. In this new one-act play “The Road from Appomattox” by Richard Hellesen, learn how together they ended the Civil War with mercy and the best interests of the country in mind.
4:15 pm – Rangers lead interpretive program
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