Ford’s Theatre Announces 2025-2026 Season
Ford’s Theatre has announced its 2025-2026 season.
The season features the world premiere of Chess Jakobs’s The American Five, from The Ford’s Theatre Legacy Commissions, directed by Aaron Posner; the beloved holiday musical of A Christmas Carol with Craig Wallace reprising the role of Ebenezer Scrooge; and in commemoration of our nation’s 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the musical 1776, directed and choreographed by Luis Salgado.
Other season highlights include The Ford’s Theatre Legacy Commissions: A First Look, heralded by DC Theater Arts as “a must-attend event in the D.C. theater scene.” The 2026 edition of A First Look will feature new work exploring historically significant events and figures that have contributed to the fabric of America over our past 250 years.
Performances of Ford’s actor-led History on Foot walking tours of downtown Washington, D.C., and daytime one-act play performances of One Destiny will continue in the spring of 2026.
“As we approach the 250th anniversary of America’s founding, we are excited to connect the lasting significance of the Declaration of Independence with the ideals that have shaped our nation’s history,” said Ford’s Theatre Director Paul R. Tetreault. “President Abraham Lincoln, who saw the Declaration as the cornerstone of American values and human rights, considered it the foundation of his fight against slavery.
“From the Declaration to Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, and the Civil Rights Movement led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to today, we trace the arc of America’s ongoing journey toward liberty and equality.
“As Ford’s Theatre presents its 2025-2026 season, we look forward to being part of this milestone 250th celebration, reflecting on our shared history and the enduring power of freedom. This commemorative season honors the courage, conviction, and progress that continue to define our nation.”
Here’s the Ford’s Theatre 2025-2026 season line-up:
The American Five
By Chess Jakobs
Directed by Aaron Posner
September 19–October 12, 2025
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and his inner circle imagined a pluralistic society in which equality and justice is guaranteed for all. In the face of surveillance, intimidation, arrests and life threats, five giants form a powerful coalition to advance civil rights and shape a defining moment in American history. Together, Dr. King, Coretta Scott King, Bayard Rustin, Stanley Levison and Clarence B. Jones plan the March on Washington and craft the speech that would galvanize the nation and inspire generations to advance America’s efforts to turn a dream into reality.
A Christmas Carol
By Charles Dickens
Adapted by Michael Wilson
Directed by Michael Baron
Featuring Craig Wallace as Ebenezer Scrooge
November 20–December 31, 2025
Join the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future as they lead the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge on a journey of transformation and redemption. Originally conceived by Michael Baron, this music-infused production captures the magic and joy of Dickens’s Yuletide classic, with familiar characters, ghosts and a children’s ensemble in the spirit of the holidays. Acclaimed actor Craig Wallace returns to play Ebenezer Scrooge in Ford’s annual tradition heralded as a “rich visual and vocal treat” (TheaterMania) and “infectiously jolly” (The Washington Post).
The Ford’s Theatre Legacy Commissions: A First Look
Free Ticketed Event; Registration Dates and Titles to Be Announced
January 2026
Featuring new plays that explore historically significant events and figures that have contributed to the fabric of America over our past 250 years. The 2026 edition of A First Look will workshop new commissions and culminate in free public readings and post-reading discussions with the playwrights.
1776
Music and Lyrics by Sherman Edwards
Book by Peter Stone
Music Direction by Clay Ostwald
Directed and Choreographed by Luís Salgado
March 13–May 16, 2026
This popular American musical is an insightful, vibrant and humorous take on our founding fathers’ determination to do the right thing for their fledgling nation. As members of the Second Continental Congress struggle to reach consensus, John Adams, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson argue for independence from the British monarchy. The ensuing debates defined our country. As we explore this historical moment through the evolving identity of America today, this robust, award-winning musical boldly brings our country’s beginnings to blazing life.
One Destiny
By Richard Hellesen
Directed by Mark Ramont
March–May 2026
Learn about Lincoln’s assassination from two men who were there. This 35-minute stage play at Ford’s Theatre explores the key facts of the assassination while capturing the emotions of that fateful night in 1865, as told through the eyewitness accounts of actor Harry Hawk and Ford’s Theatre co-owner Harry Ford, among others. As they reconstruct the sequence of events, they grapple with the question: Could John Wilkes Booth have been stopped? One Destiny was honored with The Washington Post Award for Innovative Leadership in the Theatre Community in 2011. Performance times for spring 2026 to be announced. Learn more about One Destiny.
Our One Destiny: On Demand streamed performance, featuring original actors Michael Bunce and Stephen F. Schmidt, continues to be on sale.