Wayne R. Reynolds, Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Ford's Theatre Society, Paul R. Tetreault, Director of Ford's Theatre Society, and Kym Elder, Superintendent of Ford's Theatre National Historic Site, announced today that Ford's Theatre will reopen in February 2009 after an 18-month renovation. Ford's Theatre will celebrate with one week of public and private events honoring Abraham Lincoln's life and legacy. The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Campaign, a $50 million capital campaign to support the renovation of Ford's Theatre and its museum as well as the building of the new Center for Education and Leadership, has raised $43 million to date.
"In February, Ford's Theatre will reopen its door to once again inspire visitors by celebrating the life and legacy of President Lincoln," Reynolds said. "This is the most extensive renovation of the site since 1968, and we are excited to offer visitors an enhanced experience that will educate them about Lincoln while letting them share in his love for the performing arts."
"We are thrilled that the reopening of Ford's Theatre will coincide with the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth," Tetreault added. "In honor of this event, we will reopen the theatre with the world premiere of The Heavens Are Hung In Black, a play about Abraham Lincoln in 1863, one of the most crucial years of his presidency. This play, along with many special events, will provide a magnificent tribute to our greatest president."
"Ford's Theatre is in the midst of a major expansion project to enhance the visitor experience at this historic site, and we are immensely thankful to all of the donors who have supported our capital campaign," said Rex W. Tillerson, Chairman of the Ford's Theatre Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Campaign and Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees. "In addition to renovating the theatre and the museum, we are expanding our education programming and preparing to build a new Center for Education and Leadership that will focus on the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln. The reopening of the theatre is the beginning of an exciting new phase."
"We are very excited about the 40-year partnership between the National Park Service and Ford's Theatre Society, which exemplifies the type of partnerships NPS desires to have with its collaborators," Elder said. "We are pleased with the progression of the renovations, and we are highly anticipating the reopening of the theatre and the museum as well as the bicentennial of Lincoln's birth."
Grand Reopening Celebration
On the evening of February 11, Ford's Theatre will host a special performance to officially reopen the Theatre. Filmmaker George Lucas will receive the Lincoln Medal in honor of his accomplishments, which exemplify the character and lasting legacy of President Abraham Lincoln. Limited space is available for press wishing to cover this event. Press should contact Liza Lorenz at (202) 638-0929.
Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commemoration
On February 12, Ford's Theatre will commemorate Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday with a series of public programs. The day will begin with a morning wreath-laying by National Park Service Rangers. From 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Ford's Theatre will present an array of performances in Lincoln's honor. Area students will perform some of Lincoln's great speeches, and the Federal City Brass Band will play some of Lincoln's favorite music on Civil War-era instruments. National Park Service Rangers will offer interpretive programs commemorating Lincoln's presidency throughout the day. The theatre will be open to the general public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Ford's Theatre Open House and Lincoln Birthday Celebration
On President's Day, February 16, Ford's Theatre will host an all-day open house. Events will include new Ranger-led interpretive programs, a reading of the new one-act play The Road From Appomattox by Richard Hellesen, a performance of One Destiny and songs from The Civil War. The theatre will be open to the general public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
In the evening, Ford's Theatre will launch its Living Lincoln Series, a free Monday-night series exploring the many aspects of President Lincoln's personality and life through lectures, panels, play readings and performances. Highlights of the series include a look at President Lincoln as Commander-in-Chief, an exploration of Lincoln and his love of Shakespeare, a panel on Lincoln and race, and a reading of a new musical, Lincoln in Love, based on the film Young Mr. Lincoln. Dates for the series are: Feb. 16, Feb. 23, March 2, April 13, April 20, April 27, May 4, May 11 and May 18. Beginning December 8, free tickets can be reserved through Ticketmaster at (202) 397-SEAT or by visiting www.fords.org.
