Betty Buckley Headlines Colonial Williamsburg Palace Garden Party

Colonial Williamsburg invites revelers to an evening of 18th-century-inspired entertainment and frivolity at Mr. Jefferson's Palace Garden Party from 7-9 p.m. on May 4, featuring a timeless performance by star of stage and screen Betty Buckley, a 2018 Colonial Williamsburg Revolutionary in Residence.

Dubbed the "Voice of Broadway," Buckley is a Broadway legend known for her role as Martha Jefferson in the original production of the Broadway musical "1776," for her Tony-winning performance of "Memory" in the original Broadway production of Andrew Lloyd Weber's "Cats," as Norma Desmond in "Sunset Boulevard" in London and on Broadway, and her Tony Nominated role as Hesione in "Triumph of Love."

Guests of Mr. Jefferson's Palace Garden Party are invited to don variations of 18th-century dress and be fully immersed in period music, dancing, theatrics and games, culminating in Buckley's performance and a fireworks demonstration over the Governor's Palace formal gardens. A tasting of desserts and complimentary refreshments, including a sampling of fine wines courtesy of The Williamsburg Winery are available for guests.

"Combine a toast to May frivolity by Thomas Jefferson, fireworks and a timeless performance of song by Betty Buckley in the spectacular setting of the Governor's Palace Gardens, and there will be magic in the air," said William Schermerhorn, Colonial Williamsburg creative director of signature events and supervisor of the Revolutionaries in Residence program. "On both the stage and screen, Betty has enchanted, inspired and challenged audiences through her memorable performances. I'm thrilled that she will share her artistic talents and take part in our national conversation as a Revolutionary in Residence."

Colonial Williamsburg's Revolutionary in Residence Program honors notable achievers in the worlds of art, media, education and politics to ignite conversation about ongoing national issues while illuminating the link between our nation's historical roots and contemporary life. The program is generously sponsored by The Grainger Foundation of Lake Forest, Illinois.

Buckley's career reflects the American art of musical theatre and jazz interpretation at its finest. Her 17 studio albums have garnered two Grammy nominations, and her upcoming live album "Hope" will be released on Palmetto Records this spring. Later this year Betty will lead the national tour of the Broadway production "Hello, Dolly!" and will appear in the third season of AMC's television series "Preacher."

Her feature films include "Carrie," "Tender Mercies," "Wyatt Earp," "Frantic," "Another Woman" and M. Night Shyamalan's "The Happening" and "Split." On the small screen she has also appeared on HBO's "Oz," "Eight is Enough" and more recently on "Pretty Little Liars," "Chicago Med," "Getting On" and "Law and Order: SVU."

In addition to her Palace Garden Party performance, Betty will discuss her career and field guests' questions at "A Conversation with Betty Buckley" at 2 p.m. on May 5 in the Hennage Auditorium at the Art Museums of Colonial Williamsburg.

"I am thrilled to be coming to Colonial Williamsburg with my amazing band to share some wonderful music and enjoy the festivities of the weekend," Buckley said.

Buckley is a member of the Theater Hall of Fame and the Texas Film Hall of Fame. She is a recipient of the Texas Medal of the Arts Award in Theater and holds honorary doctorates of fine arts from Marymount College and the Boston Conservatory of Music.

Colonial attire for the Garden Party event may be purchased at Colonial Williamsburg shops along Duke of Gloucester Street. Women's attire is available for purchase at the Mary Dickinson shop and men's attire is available for purchase at Greenhow and Prentis stores. Orders for custom attire must be placed no later than April 15. Eighteenth-century accessories such as fans, capelets, caps, covered hats, hat pins, gentleman's hats and walking sticks will be available for purchase on the evening of the event in the Palace's East Advance. Ticketed guests will receive a 20 percent discount on Garden Party apparel at these shops with proof of ticket purchase. A limited number of rental costumes will also be available on a first come, first serve basis.

Tickets for Mr. Jefferson's Palace Garden Party, where Buckley will perform, are $100 and are available to guests 21 and older. For accommodations within walking distance, stay in a Colonial House starting at $229 per night or stay at the luxurious Williamsburg Inn with rates beginning at $499 per night. Admission to "A Conversation with Betty Buckley" requires Colonial Williamsburg or Art Museums admission and a special $6 event ticket.

Tickets, accommodations and additional information are available at Colonial Williamsburg ticketing locations, online at www.colonialwilliamsburg.com/gardenparty, and by calling 855-296-6627 toll-free. Additional information is available by downloading the free Colonial Williamsburg Explorer app via the Apple App Store and Google Play, and by following Colonial Williamsburg on Facebook and @colonialwmsburg on Twitter and Instagram.

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