Ford’s Theatre Open House and Lincoln Birthday Celebration
On February 16, Presidents’ Day, 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 a.m. to 3 p.m. 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.
Tickets
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 a.m. on February 12 and 16. Final entry to the theatre is 4:15 p.m.
Please note: Entry to the theatre will begin 15 minutes prior to each performance.
Open House Schedule
8:30 a.m.
Lobby and Box Office open for ticket distribution
9:00 a.m.
Theatre doors open
9:15 a.m.
Ranger-led interpretive program
National Park Service Rangers will present interpretive programs about the life, assassination and legacy of Abraham Lincoln.
10:15 a.m.
Ranger-led interpretive program
National Park Service Rangers will present interpretive programs about the life, assassination and legacy of Abraham Lincoln.
11:15 a.m.
Ranger-led interpretive program
National Park Service Rangers will present interpretive programs about the life, assassination and legacy of Abraham Lincoln.
12:15 p.m.
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 p.m.
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 p.m.
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.
3:15 p.m.
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 p.m.
Ranger-led interpretive program
National Park Service Rangers will present interpretive programs about the life, assassination and legacy of Abraham Lincoln.
Dates
- Sunday, February 15, 2009 (All day)