February 11, 2009 - It was a star studded event at the
opening of the newly refurbished Ford’s Theatre that featured the likes of Ben Vereen, James Earl Jones,
Jessye Norman and actor Kelsey Grammer.
The theatre had been closed for renovation since the Fall
of 2007, and reopened tonight on the eve of the 200th birthday of AbrahamLincoln.
President Obama was presented with an engraved replica
of the Gettysburg Address by the Ford Theatre Society and actor, David Selby (above).
Academy Award-winning actor,
director, and best-selling author, Sidney Poitier was among the 2009 Lincoln Medal
Recipients, as was film director, George Lucas. The medal
is given by the Ford’s Theatre Society to the person who’s work best
exemplifies the accomplishments or personal attributes of President Abraham Lincoln.
Dr. Maya Angelou, Ruby Dee, and Dr. Benjamin s. Carson, Sr. had the honor bestowed to them in 2008.
After the festivities at the Theatre, a dinner and reception
was held nearby at the National Portrait Gallery on F Street.
Mystics’ owner, Sheila Johnson, and husband honorable
Judge William T. Newman were present, as was DC Mayor Fenty, and wife Michelle Fenty, along with newly appointed US Attorney
General, Eric Holder.
The program featured a rendition of Oh, Freedom performed by famed dancer and actor, Ben Vereen who told us he’s being nominated for an upcoming
NAACP Award.
“Wish me luck”, said Vereen.
DC native, and film, theatre and television actor, Jeffrey
Wright shared that the performances he saw at Ford’s Theatre while growing up inspired him to become an actor.
“Ford’s Theatre is the reason I became an actor. I remember seeing several performances there while growing up.”
The celebration of the reopening of the Theatre continues
Thursday with a wreath-laying ceremony and student presentations of Lincoln speeches.
On February 16, Presidents’ Day, visitors are invited to hear a staged reading of the new one-act play The Road
From Appomattox. DC based Cake Love will be on hand serving free cupcakes.
For more information, visit www.fords.org.
View photos here.
