Ford's Theatre in DC Announces Grand Reopening, February 2009

More news from Ford's Theatre, courtesy of PR goddess Liza Lorenz...

FORD’S THEATRE ANNOUNCES GRAND REOPENING FOR FEBRUARY 2009

Grand Reopening Celebration on February 11;
George Lucas to Receive Lincoln Medal

Lincoln Bicentennial Commemoration on February 12

Ford’s Theatre Open House and Lincoln Birthday Celebration on February 16;
Launch of New Series Titled Living Lincoln

Timed Entry Tours of Theatre Begin February 17

Theatre To Reopen with The Heavens Are Hung in Black (World Premiere) and The Civil War;
Ford’s Theatre Museum To Reopen in Spring 2009

Renovations Include New Seats, Updated Staging Capabilities and Enhanced Accessibility

Washington, D.C.—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.”

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