This is a play in which two long-dead men argue, without resolution, about an issue which has been settled for years. Why is it that a hundred fifty years later, the Lincoln-Douglas debates can still grip our hearts, and move us to tears?
A Christmas Carol
With strong performances, fantastic set pieces, elaborate costumes, and impressive musical numbers, the dramatic spectacle at Ford’s Theatre will dazzle audiences young and old.
Black Pearl’s author Frank Higgins
Playwright Frank Higgins takes us on his journey of writing Black Pearl Sings! – from researching American folklore, discovering the story that led to creating his characters, finding an African song which would serve as a powerful moment in the play, the workshops, the first production, the endless rewrites, and, finally, the opening at Ford’s […]
Black Pearl Sings!
Black Pearl Sings! covers a lot of territory telling what happens when Susannah, an educated musicologist travels into the deep South seeking old folk songs containing hints of African tradition and style.
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]