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Don’t Miss 1776
Must Close May 19, 2012
“A Dandy New Revival” - The Washington Post
music and lyrics by Sherman Edwards; book by Peter Stone; based on a concept by Sherman Edwards; music direction by Jay Crowder; choreographed by Michael Bobbitt; directed by Peter Flynn
Must Close May 19
“The production is calculated to stir the soul of every lover of the American story, without regard to which lever you pull on Election Day. Feast on the tableau 1776 conjures!”
-The Washington Post
“4 ½ stars! If not for the wigs, the costumes, and the elevated accents, this could be a snapshot of Congress in 2012. Thanks to clever dialogue, wonderful voices, and standout performances, 1776 succeeds admirably.”
-The Washingtonian
“An engrossing production, hugely entertaining and engaging! A human look at the men who ended up producing and signing the Declaration of Independence.”
-The Georgetowner
“Extraordinarily entertaining! Truly there is no greater venue for this, an American theatrical treasure, than Ford’s Theatre.”
-Washington Examiner
Watch the video trailer. Read reviews. See patron reviews. Watch a video interview with director Peter Flynn.
Read the program essay.
See a timeline of events.
Go behind the scenes with our 1776 blog.
View the season study guide.
Sponsors: Raytheon Company, Verizon, Visa Inc., United Technologies Corporation, Altria Group
Media Partner: ABC7/NewsChannel8/TBD.com
Brooks Ashmanskas, Erin Kruse and Christopher Bloch in “1776.” Photo by Carol Rosegg.
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Upcoming Performances
Ford's Theatre Stages Built by The Home Depot
Chevron, a 2011-2012 Season Sponsor
"1776" photo by Jim A. Choate. Photo of Michael Bunce and Stephen F. Schmidt by Mark Ramont. Photo of Matt A. Anderson by Gary Erskine.
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Oratory Festival Brings Students from Across
The Nation to the Ford’s Theatre Stage
You Can Support Student Experiences at Ford’s
This May, we celebrate two of our ever-growing education programs: National Oratory Teacher Fellows and Speak Like the President. Ford’s and its partners fully sponsor these programs, making them accessible to any student, regardless of economic means. Costs for the programs range from $200 a day to bring a student to D.C. to $1200 per student to sustain a year-long teaching program. You can help Ford’s continue to grow these programs and bring even more students to the stage. Learn more about these programs by reading below or visiting us online.  From May 4 through 6, Ford’s five National Oratory Teacher Fellows and 11 of their students (representing four states and D.C.) will participate in a National Oratory Fellows Weekend Retreat. Participants will deepen their understanding of the art of public speaking and its unique relationship to historical understanding as they take part in Master Classes with Ford’s Theatre teaching artists and staff. The weekend culminates in a celebration of oratory where students will present both historic and original speeches on May 6 at 1:00 p.m., on the Ford’s Theatre stage.
On May 22 at 7:00 p.m., students from the local D.C. Speak Like the President program come together to present an evening of oratory. During the showcase, third- through sixth-grade student orators from the Ford’s after-school Speak Like the President program demonstrate their talents in the art of public speaking by presenting original speeches on social issues and subjects that matter most to them. After the performance, please join us for an ice cream social with the students and their families in the Ford’s Theatre lobby.
You are invited to attend either of these events. Reservations are required. RSVP to membership@fords.org or call the membership hotline at (202) 434-9545.
Image courtesy of Ford’s Theatre Society.
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Highlights from the Center for Education and Leadership:
Lincoln and Leadership Exhibit
Invites Visitors to Share Their Thoughts
Housed on the second floor of the Center for Education and Leadership, the Lincoln and Leadership exhibit explores what made Lincoln a great leader. The exhibit focuses on several principles that Ford’s has identified as key to Lincoln’s success as a leader: courage, integrity, empathy and tolerance, ideals of equality, and creativity and innovation.
Visitors are asked to consider how the principles of Lincoln’s leadership can be practiced in their own lives. They are then invited to share these thoughts using Post-It notes, so that other visitors can see their responses. A few of our most recent anonymous postings include:
"Making sure that I am humble when needed, nice when it is required and truthful always."
"Try to practice the values that I consider important even if I fall short."
Share your thoughts on Lincoln’s leadership by planning a visit to the Center for Education and Leadership. Photo by Gary Erskine
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Civil War 150: The Battle of McDowell
A Springtime Victory for the South or a Union/Confederate Draw?
 The Battle of McDowell was fought on May 8, 1862, in the scenic Allegheny Mountains in Highland County, Virginia, as a part of General Thomas J. “Stonewall” Jackson’s Campaign through the Shenandoah Valley. This battle followed Jackson’s defeat at the First Battle of Kernstown. Some historians consider the Battle of McDowell the beginning of Jackson’s 1862 Valley Campaign. Arguments can be made that U.S. forces achieved a draw due to the Union Brigade General R. Milroy’s “spoiling attack” that surprised Jackson and inflicted heavy casualties, but Union forces did not actually drive the Confederates from their position.
At dusk on the day of battle, Milroy ordered a general retreat of Union forces from the Allegheny Mountains because of the enormity of injuries sustained. For nearly a week afterward, Jackson and his men pursued the retreating Union army before returning to march to the Valley on May 15, 1862. Given that Union forces retreated and Confederate troops chased these soldiers tirelessly for many days, some consider this to be a strategic victory for the South. Because of this difference in opinion, the battle is still reenacted and studied today.
Map by Hal Jespersen.
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From the Ford's Theatre Store:
Bring in a fresh look this spring with our new Tee Collection inspired by Abe's great sense of humor. Tees start at $19.99. Available in store and online.
Featured Restaurant: Ceiba
 701 14th St. NW, Washington, D.C.
(202) 393-3983
This elegant Latin-inspired restaurant in the heart of the nation's capital has been sizzling since it opened in September 2003. The name "Ceiba" pays tribute to the imposing umbrella-shaped tree found throughout the new-world tropics, and the menu is contemporary Latin American, specifically Yucatan (Vera Cruz and Cancun), Brazilian (Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro), Peruvian and Cuban. Sprawling over the first two rooms of the restaurant, an alluring new lounge features tropical designs in natural hues of pale greens, earthy browns and warm beige and mixes dining and entertaining with cocktails and savory appetizers any time you like.
Accepts American Express, MasterCard, Visa, Diner's Club, Discover and Passion Food Hospitality Gift Certificates.
Featured Partner: George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate, Museum and Gardens
 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway
Mount Vernon, Virginia 22309
(703) 780-2000
Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend and the beginning of summer at Mount Vernon during Sunset Celebration on May 25-27! This unforgettable evening experience offers a rare opportunity to visit Mount Vernon after the daytime crowds have departed. Visitors will enjoy colonial music, dancing, games, wagon rides and candlelight tours of the Mansion. Relax on the lawn overlooking the Potomac River with wine and desserts, sold separately.
Stroll the lantern-lit grounds from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and immerse yourself in the 18th century as the sun sets on the plantation and costumed residents like the charming Lady Washington and her granddaughter Nelly interact with visitors. Watch as costumed interpreters demonstrate the 18th-century chocolate-making process using an authentic colonial recipe!
Tickets are $18/adult; $12/youth ages 6-11; and free for children 5 and under.
Photo of Sunset Celebration at Mount Vernon May 25-27
Alexander Strain, Mark Hairston and David Emerson Toney. Photo by C. Stanley Photography. |
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