Ford’s Theater Stages ‘1776’ Play, Linking History & America250
WASHINGTON – Ford’s Theatre is staging a production of “1776” as part of the America250 celebration, a choice that resonates deeply within the historic venue where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated in 1865. The play’s opening marks a symbolic return to the theater’s roots, according to Paul Tetreault, director of Ford’s Theatre.
“This is the last place where Abraham Lincoln was alive. If you believe about that as sort of fairly profound,” Tetreault said.
On April 14, 1865, just five days after General Robert E. Lee’s surrender at Appomattox, President Lincoln attended a performance of “Our American Cousin” at Ford’s Theatre. During the play, actor and Confederate sympathizer John Wilkes Booth fatally shot the President. The theater, which had opened in 1863, subsequently closed for over a century, according to historical records.
Ford’s Theatre reopened in 1968, and Lincoln’s box has been preserved as a memorial to the tragedy. The National Park Service now administers the site, which includes the Petersen House, where Lincoln died after the shooting. The theater and Petersen House together form the Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site.
The current production of “1776” is intended to offer a reflection on the nation’s founding principles and the ongoing necessitate for debate and compromise, Tetreault explained. “It’s kind of a lesson to us today that, you know, we weren’t that different 250 years ago. And what we still need today is debate and compromise,” he said.
The production also highlights the meticulous work involved in recreating a historical period. Costume designer Ivania Stack emphasized the extensive research required to ensure accuracy. “It’s a lot of poring through books, looking at different museum catalogs. All the silhouettes are sort of similar in that it was the standard sort of silhouette for the time. But depending on if a character is more connected to Europe or to England, they might have access to finer fabrics and details than, say, a character who’s a cobbler in Rhode Island,” Stack said.
Actor Joe Mallon, who portrays Edward Rutledge in the production, noted the enduring relevance of the Constitution and the ongoing process of American self-governance. “It’s always fascinating to me to think that the Founding Fathers created a living document in the Constitution. So it’s able to be changed and worked on. And it’s a constant process. You know, we’re constantly figuring out the best way to move forward with the experiment of America,” Mallon said.
“1776” is scheduled to run at Ford’s Theatre through May 16.