Ford's Theatre Programming Announced Fall 2010

The Ford's Theatre Society announced that its programming schedule for fall 2010 will include daytime performances of the one-act play "One Destiny" by Richard Hellesen (October 12-30, 2010) and a continuation of the popular History on Foot walking tours, "Investigation: Detective McDevitt" and "A Free Black Woman: Elizabeth Keckly" (September-October 2010). Tickets to "One Destiny" and History on Foot are available to the general public July 26, 2010.

"One Destiny" written by Richard Hellesen; directed by Mark Ramont
This two-character play, which premiered in spring 2007, is set shortly after Lincoln's assassination at Ford's Theatre. The play revisits the events of April 14, 1865, from the point of view of Harry Ford, one of three brothers who owned Ford's Theatre, and the great comic actor Harry Hawk, who was performing on stage on the night of the assassination. The performance is offered as part of timed entry to Ford's Theatre and presented in addition to the National Park Service Ranger programs.

Performances of "One Destiny" begin October 12 and run Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. (10:30 a.m. only October 26); Thursday, October 28, at 10:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.; and Saturdays October 16, 23, and 30 at 10:30 a.m. Special 11:30 a.m. performance on October 30. There will be an audio-described performance on October 23 at 10:30 a.m. The October 30 10:30 a.m. performance will be sign-interpreted. Performances begin 15 minutes after entry to the theatre.

Tickets for "One Destiny"
Tickets are required for all performances of "One Destiny."Tickets are $7.50 in advance or $5.00 the day of the performance. Tickets can be reserved through Ticketmaster at (202) 397-SEAT or by visiting fords.org. Ticketmaster fees apply. Groups of 20 or more may reserve tickets by calling (202) 638-2367.

Patrons may choose to begin their visit to Ford's Theatre by reserving a free timed-entry ticket to the Ford's Theatre Museum. Please note that not all entry times include museum entry, so visitors are urged to check the daily schedule on fords.org.

History on Foot Walking Tours

"A Free Black Woman: Elizabeth Keckly" written by Jennifer L. Nelson; directed by Patrick Torres
Join Elizabeth Keckly, free black woman and confidante to First Lady Mary Todd Lincoln, as she tells the story of her friendship with the Lincoln family and of her efforts to help former slaves find their way in the newly free Washington City. This tour lasts approximately 90 minutes and the distance walked is about 1.5 miles. Tours are offered at 11:15 a.m. on Saturdays September 11 and 18 and October 2, 9, 16 and 23. Tickets for the Elizabeth Keckly walking tour are available for sale July 26 at fords.org.

"Investigation: Detective McDevitt" written by Richard Hellesen; directed by Mark Ramont
Join Detective James McDevitt as he revisits and reexamines the sites and clues from the investigation into the Lincoln Assassination Conspiracy. This tour lasts approximately 2 hours and makes at least eight stops. The distance walked is approximately 1.4 miles from Ford's Theatre to the White House. Tours are offered Saturdays September 11, 18 and 25 and October 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30 at 10:15 a.m. Tickets for the "Investigation: Detective McDevitt" walking tour are available for sale July 26 at fords.org.

Tickets for History on Foot
Tickets for History on Foot are $12 for individuals and $10 for groups of 20 or more. Individual tickets can be reserved through Ticketmaster at (202) 397-SEAT or by visiting www.fords.org. Ticketmaster fees apply. Groups of 20 or more may reserve tickets by calling (202) 638-2367.

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 2005, 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 world premieres of "The Heavens Are Hung In Black" and "Meet John Doe," Ford's Theatre has undoubtedly begun to make its mark on the American theatre landscape.

In addition, through the leadership of Chairman Wayne R. Reynolds and Director Paul Tetreault, the mission of Ford's Theatre Society has 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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