Inside The Ford’s Theatre Society’s 2015 Gala

The Ford’s Theatre Society rolled out the red carpet for its 2015 gala on Sunday, May 31st, where many guests —  like National Security Advisor Susan Rice, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell, Department of Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, former United States Attorney General Eric Holder, United States Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James, United States Secretary of Department of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald, and actor George Newbern — not only impressed with their evening elegance, but also with their deference to the theatre’s historical significance.

First Lady Michelle Obama served as the honorary chair of the gala celebration, which included a variety of performances, like a toe-tapping chorus of “Little Jazz Bird” performed by host Tommy Tune; an extraordinary performance of Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal” by 2CELLOS; Martina McBride singing “Wild Night” (originally by Van Morrison); Joss Stone and the full ensemble performing “Glory” from the film Selma, Boyz II Men singing “End of the Road,” and more.

During the performance event, Ford’s Theatre Director Paul R. Tetreault also recapped this spring’s Ford’s 150 events that commemorated 150 years since the assassination of Abraham Lincoln at the historic theatre.

The gala performance was followed by a seated dinner nearby at the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian American Art Museum, which featured the presentation of the Ford’s Theatre Lincoln Medal to civil rights activist and instrumental coordinator of the 1961 Freedom Ride, Diane Nash.