Ford's Theatre Presents FLY, 9/21-10/21

Ford's Theatre presents the Washington premiere of "Fly," by Trey Ellis and Ricardo Khan, directed by Ricardo Khan, September 21 through October 21, 2012. The centerpiece of this year's programming for The Lincoln Legacy Project, "Fly" is based on the experiences of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. The play follows four courageous heroes hailing from Chicago, Harlem, rural Iowa and the Caribbean as they train to fly combat aircraft. In spite of the overt racism they encounter, the men form a lasting brotherhood and fly with distinction, paving the way for the desegregation of the American military and the later Civil Rights Movement. The production inventively combines live action, video footage and the inspirational "Tap Griot," a dancing storyteller who expresses the anger, fear and triumph that the officers cannot.

"'Fly' showcases the friendships gained and challenges faced by the Tuskegee Airmen during training and combat," said director and co-author of "Fly" Ricardo Khan. "The story not only portrays the airmen's significant achievements as they escorted bombers on vital military missions abroad, but also reminds us that positive outcomes await us when we work together in the pursuit of excellence and promote equal opportunity."

"Though the Tuskegee Airmen served with distinction in conflicts on behalf of the United States, they returned home to encounter segregation and prejudice," said Director of Ford's Theatre Paul R. Tetreault. "We are honored to celebrate the perseverance and heroism of the Tuskegee Airmen with 'Fly' and our connected Lincoln Legacy Project discussions and exhibitions this fall."

"Fly" is made possible with support from Lead Sponsor LockheEd Martin Corporation and sponsors Southern Company and Rolls-Royce. The Washington Post is the Official Media Partner for Fly and The Lincoln Legacy Project.

THE DIRECTOR
"Fly" Co-author and Director Ricardo Khan returns to Ford's Theatre for the first time since the 1991 production of "Black Eagles." Khan was a member of the Broadway producing team for "It Ain't Nothin' But the Blues" (Tony nomination, 1999) and Associate Director for "Hot Feet." His regional credits include productions for Hartford Stage, Oregon Shakespeare and the Kennedy Center. Khan is Founding Director of Crossroads Theatre Company (Tony for Outstanding Regional Theatre, 1999); Artist-In-Residence for the Lincoln Center Institute, Lincoln Center; and founder of the World Theatre Lab, an international writers-collective based in London, New York and Johannesburg. He also serves as an Associate Artist at the Vineyard Playhouse.

THE CAST
The cast for Fly includes Eric Berryman, Mark Hairston, Damian Thompson and Christopher Wilson as Tuskegee Airmen W.W., Oscar, J. Allen and Chet. The production also features Omar Edwards as the Tap Griot (Broadway's "Bring In Da Noise, Bring In Da Funk"), and Matt Bassett, James Konicek (Ford's "1776," "Parade," "LiberTy Smith," "State of the Union"), Clark Young and Kahlil X. Daniel.

THE DESIGNERS
Scenic Designer Beowulf Boritt's designs include large cloud-draped hanging panels that showcase multi-media projections including, among other things, historic images and World War II aerial footage. Projections are designed by Clint Allen ("The Heavens Are Hung In Black"). The "Fly" design team also includes Costume Design by Toni-Leslie James (Black Pearl Sings!), Lighting Design by Rui Rita ("A Christmas Carol," "Meet John Doe," "Trying"), Original Music and Sound Design by John Gromada ("Necessary Sacrifices," "Sabrina Fair"), Choreography by Hope Clarke, Fight Direction by Rick Sordelet and Dialects by Leigh Wilson Smiley. The production team also includes Production Stage Manager Brandon Prendergast and Assistant Stage Manager Kate Kilbane.

Washington, D.C. native Dr. Roscoe Brown, Jr. serves as Production Advisor for "Fly." As squadron commander of the 100th Fighter Squadron of the 332nd Fighter Group during World War II, Brown flew 68 long-range missions from August of 1944 to March of 1945. For his service, Brown received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his extraordinary achievement in aerial flight as a member of the Tuskegee Airmen.

THE LINCOLN LEGACY PROJECT
The Lincoln Legacy Project is a multi-year effort to create dialogue in our nation's capital around the issues of tolerance, equality and acceptance. Each fall, beginning with the Washington premiere of the musical "Parade" in 2011, town-hall-style meetings, panel discussions, scholar talkbacks, in-depth student workshops and staged readings will augment an evocative mainstage production. Through a diversity of programming, The Lincoln Legacy Project is designed to encourage people of differing viewpoints to engage in meaningful and respectful dialogue about tolerance and understanding.

Events for The Lincoln Legacy Project are presented in cooperation with several partner organizations including The Anti-Defamation League, East Coast Chapter of Tuskegee Airmen Inc., Jewish Film Festival, the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington, the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and Operation Understanding D.C. The Lincoln Legacy Project is made possible with support from: Ronald O. Perelman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MacAndrews & Forbes Holdings Inc., Founding Sponsor; the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Foundation, Harold Holzer, Chairman.

The Lincoln Legacy Project is funded in part by the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, an agency supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. The Washington Post is the Official Media Partner of The Lincoln Legacy Project.

For more information on the 2012 programming schedule for The Lincoln Legacy Project, visit http://www.fords.org/lincoln-legacy-project

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS
* There will be audio-described performances of "Fly" on Saturday, October 6, at 2:00 p.m. and Saturday, October 16, at 7:30 p.m. Sign-interpreted performances are Thursday, October 11, at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, October 20, at 2:00 p.m.

* As part of The Lincoln Legacy Project, Ford's Theatre offers facilitated discussions to interested audience members immediately following each evening performance of "Fly" (except September 26). These 20-minute discussions give audiences an opportunity to engage in a dialogue on the themes and issues raised in the performance.

* Patrons with tickets to "Fly" may visit the Center for Education and Leadership across from the Theatre for a special second floor exhibition about the Tuskegee Airmen titled "The Test," through October 21. Featuring photographs and models, this exhibit follows the ground-breaking training and service of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II. Visit http://www.fords.org/lincoln-legacy-project for more details. Patrons with tickets to an evening performance can visit the Petersen House and Center exhibits beginning at 5 p.m. The Petersen House closes at 5:30 p.m., and the Center remains open until 6:30 p.m. Matinee patrons can visit the Center's exhibits before or after the performance.

* In October, a series of free discussion events as part of The Lincoln Legacy Project will feature experts discussing the history behind Fly and how the Tuskegee Airmen influenced the American military, the Civil Rights Movement and related contemporary social issues. On October 1 at 7 p.m., Ford's will host "Dreaming of Skies to Conquer: A Conversation with Original Tuskegee Airmen." On October 8 at 7 p.m., veterans discuss diversity in the Armed Forces in a program titled "Counting the Brave and the True: Military Veterans Discuss the Path to Diversity in the Armed Forces." The final conversation on October 15 at 7 p.m. will be "Staying the Course: A Discussion of How to Ensure and Manage a Culturally Astute Military in the 21st Century." Beginning September 17, tickets may be reserved in person at the Ford's Theatre Box Office, through Ticketmaster at (800) 982-2787 or online at www.fords.org. Ticketmaster fees apply.