The Civil War

The idea of using the Civil War as a backdrop for a musical is not as far-fetched as it originally seems.  After a visceral gut response of “Huh?”  comes a more open-minded, “Why not?” which may have been the creative stages of writers Frank Wildhorn, Gregory Boyd and Jack Murphy to create, design and orchestrate this Tony-nominated medley of songs.  Read more

The Heavens Are Hung in Black

The Heavens Are Hung in Black
Written by James Still
Directed by Stephen Rayne
Produced by Ford’s Theatre
Reviewed by Debbie Minter Jackson

I have been thinking fondly about this touching world premiere since I saw it, and I’ll likely see it again.  The scenes and images stay with you, in a drifting, dreamy sort of way.  The tribute depicts Lincoln the man behind the stiff, immortal chisel-jaw hero who has been immortalized, even more intensely now with his bicentennial celebration.  Bits of history are interspersed in the story, but the author James Still never loses sight of his intention, Read more

Ford’s Theatre Closing for Renovations

As reported in today’s Washington Post, Ford’s theatre will be undergoing an $8.5 million renovation. Renovations will include an elevator, handicapped access and technical improvements. The annual A Christmas Carol will be presented this year, but otherwise the theater will remain dark for 18 months. More details here.

Meet John Doe

At the piano: (l to r) Andrew Gerle, Joel Markowitz, Eddie Sugarman

They are the newest ‘it’ guys - composer Andrew Gerle and lyricist Eddie Sugarman - loaded with talent, funny, refreshing and boy can they sell a song! They have hit the big time with their first partnership (they also co-wrote the book) for their new musical Meet John Doe with a gorgeous multi-million dollar Ford’s Theatre production, orchestrated by a Broadway great, directed by Eric Schaeffer.  Listen in on this lively session with Joel Markowitz which ends with Andrew and Eddie’s rendition of what will be one of the show’s big numbers ‘Money Talks’ featuring Stephen Gregory Smith.

Listen here.

A Christmas Carol

A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A GHOST STORY OF CHRISTMAS

Adapted by Michael Wilson with Original Direction by Matt August

Original Staging Recreated by Mark Ramont

Reviewed by Rosalind Lacy

There’s a reason for the standing ovation at the end. Experiencing Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol at the Ford’s Theatre is thrilling.It’s more than the spectacular technical effects: Rumbling thunder with forked lightning, fog creeping under doors, tolling bells, ticking clocks, and dramatic lighting, all perfectly timed. It’s the fact that this English-American classic is performed by a uniformly excellent cast in a theater of great personal and historic significance.Before the play started, I liked the way Broadway actor, Richard Poe, new to the cast this year as Ebenezer Scrooge, acknowledged the past with an upward glance and nod of his head toward President Lincoln’s flag-draped box. Read more

State of the Union

by Howard Lindsay and Russel Crouse

Produced by Ford’s Theatre
Reviewed by Tim Treanor

“Democracy,” H.L. Mencken once wrote, “is the theory that the people know what they want and deserve to get it good and hard.”

In Ford Theatre’s handsome, amiable, absolutely charming State of the Union, the people want spontaneity, high principle, and independence from party bosses. And the party bosses are prepared to give it to them.

Imagine a supremely accomplished industrialist who seeks to awaken the better angels in the American people - to appeal to their sense of pride and self-sacrifice; to encourage them to work with each other, and, even more radically, to work with other peoples to assure peace and prosperity. Everywhere he goes he is mobbed by men and women who have been revitalized by his message. He is received less as a politician and more as a movie star - or a prophet. What do we make of such a person?

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