Ford's Theatre to Present 'One Destiny' Beginning in March

The Ford's Theatre Society announced that the programming schedule for spring and summer 2010 will include performances of the one-act play "One Destiny" by Richard Hellesen. "One Destiny" was commissioned by the Ford's Theatre Society to bring the drama and emotion of the American Civil War to life through informative and entertaining theatre. Beginning March 22, the 30-minute play will be offered as part of timed entry to Ford's Theatre and presented in addition to the National Park Service Ranger programs. The Society will offer evening performances of "One Destiny" from June 8 to June 19. Tickets are required for all performances of "One Destiny". Tickets are $6.50 in advance or $5.00 the day of the performance.

Support for "One Destiny" is provided in part by Pepco.

"One Destiny" written by Richard Hellesen
This two-character play, which premiered in spring 2007, is set shortly after the Lincoln 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.
Daytime performances of "One Destiny" are March 22, 23, 24, 26, 27, 29, 30 and 31, April 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28 and 30, May 1, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 17, 18, 19, 21 and 22 at 10:30 a.m.; and noon on March 22, 23, 29, 30 and 31, April 2, 5, 6, 7, 9, 12, 13, 14, 16, 19, 20, 21, 23, 26, 27, 28 and 30, May 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 11, 12, 14, 17, 18, 19 and 21. The April 17 10:30 a.m. performance will be sign-interpreted. The April 24 10:30 a.m. performance will be audio-described. Performances begin 15 minutes after entry to the theatre.

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.

Following daytime performances of "One Destiny", patrons are invited to visit the Petersen House (the house where Lincoln died) across the street from Ford's Theatre.
Evening performances of "One Destiny" are June 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17 and 18 at 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.; June 12 and 19 at 5:30 p.m. Performances begin at the time noted.

Tickets
Performance tickets for "One Destiny" are $6.50 in advance or $5.00 the day of the performance. Daytime performance dates are currently on sale at fords.org. Tickets to evening performances of "One Destiny" will become available March 8, 2010. Tickets can be reserved through TicketMaster at (202) 397-SEAT or by visiting fords.org. Groups of 20 or more may reserve tickets by calling (202) 638-2367.

Ford's Theatre Society
Since it reopened its doors 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 reopened in February 2009 after an 18-month renovation. The Ford's Theatre Museum reopened in July 2009. The renovations are part of The Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Campaign, a $50+ million capital campaign that supports the renovation of the theatre and museum as well as the building of the new Center for Education and Leadership, an education center focused on the life and legacy of Abraham Lincoln.

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 "The Heavens Are Hung In Black," 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.

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