Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi
Location: Ford’s Theatre
Photos by Reflections Photography
THE EVENT: On the eve of Abraham Lincoln’s 200th birthday, Washington and Hollywood’s brightest stars joined the president and first lady to celebrate the reopening of the historic theater after its recent $25 million renovation. Joshua Bell began the festivities on a spiritual note using a violin that was last played the night Lincoln was assassinated. He was followed by former presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush reading, in turn, excerpts from the “Gettysburg Address.” IN ATTENDANCE: James Earl Jones, Jessye Norman, Kelsey Grammer, Ben Vereen, Audra McDonald, and Katie Couric also offered tributes to the 16th president.
