Ford Theater Announces 2009-2010 Season Line-up

Ford's Theatre Society Director Paul Tetreault announced the Society's 2009-2010 season, a lineup that includes "Black Pearl Sings!," a new production of "A Christmas Carol," Norman Corwin's "The Rivalry," originally read as part of the Living Lincoln series, and the musical "Little Shop of Horrors." In addition to the mainstage season, the Society will present political comedian Mark Russell from February 17 to 20, 2010.

FORD'S THEATRE 2009-2010 SEASON

Black Pearl Sings!

by Frank Higgins

directed by Jennifer L. Nelson

September 25-October 18, 2009

Susannah, a song collector for the Library of Congress, travels the country seeking little-known melodies. When she encounters Pearl in a Texas prison, she discovers dozens of musical treasures rooted in the African tradition. Pearl must decide whether to give away her ancestors' songs for a chance at her own freedom. Music unites strangers in a powerful story that illuminates America's racial divisions and the attempts of two women to bridge them. Jennifer L. Nelson returns to direct for the first time since her critically acclaimed production of "Jitney."

A Christmas Carol

by Charles Dickens

adapted by Michael Wilson

directed by Michael Baron

November 23, 2009-January 3, 2010

 

Ford's Theatre presents a new production of "A Christmas Carol" that reinvigorates this timeless tale. Join the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future as they lead the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption. Signature Theatre's Michael Baron directs a new staging that captures the magic and joy of Dickens' classic.

 

The Rivalry

by Norman Corwin

directed by Mark Ramont

January 22- February 14, 2010

 

Over the course of seven debates, Abraham Lincoln and Stephen Douglas tackled the hot topics of their day: state's rights, slavery and the intent of the Constitution. "The Rivalry" captures the fiery rhetoric and wry humor of those debates, while adding the insights of Douglas's wife, Adele. As Lincoln and Douglas race for the chance to be U.S. Senator, Adele reexamines her own concepts of freedom. Ford's Theatre Director of Theatre Programming Mark Ramont directs Helen Hayes Award winner Rick Foucheux and Sarah Zimmerman ("The Matchmaker") in the play "The New York Times" calls "evocative, inspiring, and stirring theatre."

 

 

Little Shop of Horrors

by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman

directed by Coy Middlebrook

March 12-May 23, 2010

 

One of the most popular musicals of all time, "Little Shop of Horrors" tells the story of the well-meaning flower shop employee Seymour Krelborn and his wisecracking carnivorous plant, Audrey II. Seymour delights in the attention his leafy friend attracts, but when Audrey II develops a craving for human flesh, the situation spins out of control. Coy Middlebrook, a key member of the artistic team for "Shenandoah" and "Big River," makes his Ford's directorial debut with this zany American classic.

 

 

About the Ford's Theatre Society

Since its reopening in 1968, more than a hundred years after the April 14, 1865, assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, Ford's Theatre has been one of the most visited sites in the nation's capital. Ford's Theatre has enthralled visitors because of its unique place in United States history, and its mission to celebrate the legacy of Abraham Lincoln and explore the American experience through theatre and education. For its accomplishments, the organization was honored in 2008 with the National Medal of Arts, the highest award given by the U.S. government to artists, arts institutions and arts patrons.

 

Ford's Theatre Society works to present the Theatre's nearly one million visitors each year with a high quality historical and cultural experience, enhancing the vibrancy of this historic site, an important tool for promoting the ideals of leadership, humanity and wisdom espoused by Abraham Lincoln.

 

Since the arrival of Paul R. Tetreault as Director, Ford's Theatre Society has been recognized by the critics and theatergoing public for the superior quality of its artistic programming. With works from the nationally acclaimed "Big River" to the regional premiere of "Trying" and world premiere of "Meet John Doe," Ford's Theatre has undoubtedly begun to make its mark on the American theatre landscape.

In addition, through the leadership of Wayne R. Reynolds, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, the mission of Ford's Theatre Society has recently been expanded to include education as a central pillar of the organization, equal to that of producing theatre of the highest quality. As Ford's Theatre looks to the future, the health of the organization will be defined and determined not only by the quality of the productions on the stage but also by the success of its educational programming in teaching about The Life, Presidency and lessons of leadership of Abraham Lincoln.

For more information on Ford's Theatre and the Ford's Theatre Society, please visit www.fords.org.

For information on the National Park Service and the Ford's Theatre National Historic Site, please visit www.nps.gov/foth.

 

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