For Immediate Release: Press Contact: Lauren Beyea

December 22, 2008; Direct Dial: 202.434.9543

Updated January 29, 2009 Cell Phone: 203.751.1004
LBeyea@fords.org

FORD’S THEATRE REOPENS WITH

A WORLD PREMIERE OF
THE HEAVENS ARE HUNG IN BLACK
BY JAMES STILL
DIRECTED BY STEPHEN RAYNE

Production features David Selby as Abraham Lincoln

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Ford’s Theatre reopens following an 18-month renovation with a

world premiere of a newly commissioned play The Heavens Are Hung In Black by James Still,
directed by Stephen Rayne from February 3-March 8, 2009. Highlighting the five months
between the death of Lincoln’s young son Willie and the issue of the Emancipation Proclamation,
James Still’s brave and ambitious new play The Heavens Are Hung In Black offers a glimpse into
the personal and political challenges that Lincoln faced during 1862. The production features
acclaimed stage and screen actor David Selby as President Abraham Lincoln. Additional casting
includes Norman Aronovic, Steven Carpenter, Jonathan Fielding, Michael Goodwin,
Edward James Hyland, Beth Hylton, Michael Kramer, Robin Moseley, Hugh Nees, David
Emerson Toney, Chaney Tullos, Jonathan Watkins and Scott Westerman, with James
Chatham, Benjamin Cook and Benjamin Schiffbauer.
Heavens paints a picture of Abraham Lincoln as a forward-thinking leader during one of
the Civil War’s most critical times. Over the course of the play, Lincoln is visited in dreams by
Jefferson Davis, Dread Scott and Uncle Tom at moments when their life experience might aid his
decision-making about the war and the Emancipation Proclamation.
“We are thrilled to reopen Ford’s Theatre with this historic world premiere,” said Paul R.
Tetreault, director of Ford’s Theatre. “James Still has written a remarkable play that explores one
of the most crucial years of Lincoln’s presidency. This play, along with the many special events
we have planned for February, will provide a magnificent tribute to our greatest president.”
“The challenge of writing The Heavens Are Hung In Black was to maintain the integrity of
Lincoln’s character and the history of the Civil War while infusing the story with imagination and
human elements,” said playwright James Still. “Heavens offers a glimpse into the world of one of
our nation’s most important presidents and raises questions about how we might have behaved if
faced with the pressures of that crucial time in our nation’s history.”
Heavens, p.2

This production is made possible by BAE Systems, Verizon, BP America, Visa Inc. and
the National Endowment for the Arts. Ford’s Theatre stages are Built by The Home Depot.
Chevron is a 2008-2009 season sponsor.

THE PLAYWRIGHT

James Still returns to Ford’s Theatre with a world premiere of The Heavens Are Hung In
Black. His Looking Over the President’s Shoulder premiered at Ford’s as part of the 2003-2004
season. Still’s work has been featured in New Visions/New Voices at the Kennedy Center,
developed and workshopped at Sundance and showcased on stages throughout Europe, North
America and Australia. During his 10 years as artist-in-residence at the Indiana Repertory
Theatre, Still was a two-time recipient of the TCG/Pew Charitable Trust National Theatre Artists
Residency Grant. Still also was awarded the William Inge Festival's Otis Gurnsey New Voices in
American Theatre award and the Charlotte B. Chorpenning Playwright Award for Distinguished
Body of Work. His television writing and producing credits include Paz for The Learning Channel
and Discovery Kids, Frog and Friends for Amsterdam-based Telescreen, and Miffy. Additionally,
he served as writer and story editor for Maurice Sendak's Little Bear and the Bill Cosby series
Little Bill on Nickelodeon. Still has been nominated for five Emmys and a Television Critics
Association Award.

THE DIRECTOR
Director Stephen Rayne makes his Ford’s Theatre debut with The Heavens Are Hung In
Black. Rayne’s directorial credits include productions of A View from the Bridge, A Christmas
Carol, Hay Fever, Closer, Equus and House and Garden at the Alley Theatre, Macbeth for the
New York Arts Festival and productions of Athol Fugard’s Blood Knot in St. Louis and Chicago.
Additionally, Rayne has directed productions for the Royal Shakespeare Company (The
Plantagenets, Twelfth Night, Venus and Adonis, Totem, All God’s Chillun got Wings and Kiss Me,
Kate!), London’s National Theatre (Peter Grimes, The Relapse, The Coast of Utopia), Hampstead
Theatre and Royal Opera House, among others.

THE CAST
David Selby makes his Ford’s Theatre debut as Abraham Lincoln. Selby’s long stage
career includes multiple productions for Broadway including The Heiress and The Eccentricities
of a Nightingale and several shows Off-Broadway and at the Kennedy Center. His regional credits
include performances with the Alley Theatre, Goodman Theatre, Hartford Stage, Manhattan
Theatre Club, McCarter Theatre Center, Public Theater, Shakespeare Theatre Company,
American Shakespeare Festival, Pasadena Playhouse and others. Selby created the role of
Quentin Collins on television’s Dark Shadows and Richard Channing on Falcon Crest, starred
opposite Jane Alexander on HBO’s series Tell Me You Love Me and most recently guest-starred
Heavens, p.3

on CBS’ Cold Case. His many film credits include Up the Sandbox with Barbara Streisand, Night
of Dark Shadows, Dying Young with Campell Scott and Julia Roberts, and White Squall.
An accomplished playwright and novelist, Selby’s most recent book Lincoln’s Better
Angel, reflects on the personal impact of war. In the late 1990s, Selby performed the role of
Abraham Lincoln in the New York, Charleston and Washington, D.C., performances of his stage
play Lincoln and James. Additionally, Selby has narrated several programs for L.A. Theatre
Works, National Public Radio and the BBC. Selby received his BS and MS degrees from West
Virginia University, where he was recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award, and holds a
PhD in Theatre from Southern Illinois University.

The cast also includes Norman Aronovic, Steven Carpenter, Jonathan Fielding,
Michael Goodwin, Edward James Hyland, Beth Hylton, Michael Kramer, Robin Moseley,
Hugh Nees, David Emerson Toney, Chaney Tullos, Jonathan Watkins and Scott
Westerman, with James Chatham, Benjamin Cook and Benjamin Schiffbauer.

THE DESIGNERS
For the production, Rayne has assembled a team of talented designers to illustrate the
political and personal life of Abraham Lincoln during 1862. Obie- and Drama Desk-nominated set
designer Takeshi Kata has created a White House office with walls that track off to reveal the
wider world of Lincoln’s Washington. Costume Designer Wade Laboissonniere’s period designs
and dark color palate reflect the mood of the characters’ inner struggles and a nation at war. The
Heavens design team also includes Lighting Design by Pat Collins (Elmer Gantry, I’m Not
Rappaport, A Christmas Carol), Sound Design and Original Music by Ryan Rumery (Broadway’s
Thurgood with Laurence Fishburne), Video Design by Clint Allen, Hair and Wig Design by
Cookie Jordan and Dialect Consulting by Lynn Watson. The production team also includes
Production Stage Manager Brandon Prendergast and Assistant Stage Manager Kate Kilbane.

SPECIAL PERFORMANCES AND EVENTS

There will be audio-described performances of The Heavens Are Hung In Black on
Tuesday, February 17, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, February 22, at 2:30 p.m. Sign-interpreted
performances are Wednesday, February 18, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 1, at 2:30 p.m.
Following the 2:30 p.m. matinee on Sunday, February 22, and Sunday, March 1,
members of the cast will take questions from the audience and discuss the artistic process. Post-
performance discussions begin immediately following the performance. Individuals wishing to
attend the discussion will be invited into the theatre for the discussion after the audience from the
performance departs.
Heavens, p.4

FACT SHEET: The Heavens Are Hung In Black

By James Still * Directed by Stephen Rayne

Ford’s Theatre presents the world premiere of a newly commissioned play The Heavens Are
Hung In Black by James Still, directed by Stephen Rayne, for the reopening of the renovated
Ford’s Theatre space, February 3-March 8, 2009. Highlighting the five months between the
death of Lincoln’s young son Willie and the issue of the Emancipation Proclamation, The
Heavens Are Hung In Black offers a glimpse into the personal and political challenges Lincoln
faced during 1862. The production features acclaimed stage and screen actor David Selby as
President Abraham Lincoln.

DATES: February 3 to March 8, 2009

Press and Opening Night: February 8, 2009

LOCATION: Ford’s Theatre is located at 511 10th St. NW, between E and F streets.

TIMES: Tuesdays through Sundays at 7:30 p.m. (except February 10, 11, 12 and 15); matinees
on Saturdays and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. (except February 7, 8 and 15); matinee at 11 a.m. on
Thursday, February 19; matinee at noon on February 26 and March 5.

TICKETS: $16-$52 with discounts available for student groups and senior citizens.

ACCESSIBILITY: Ford’s Theatre is accessible to persons with disabilities, offering wheelchair

accessible seating and restrooms and audio enhancement.

There will be audio-described performances of The Heavens Are Hung In Black on Tuesday,
February 17, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, February 22, at 2:30 p.m. Sign-interpreted performances
are Wednesday, February 18, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, March 1, at 2:30 p.m.

Following the 2:30 p.m. matinee on Sunday, February 22, and Sunday, March 1, members of the
cast will take questions from the audience and discuss the artistic process. Post-performance
discussions begin immediately after the performance. Individuals wishing to attend the discussion
will be invited into the theatre for the discussion after the audience from the performance
departs.

PARKING:
Paid parking is available in the 24-hour QuickPark garage (Grand Hyatt Hotel) on 10th Street,
Central Parking garage on 10th Street, and the Atlantic Garage below Ford’s Theatre (at 511 10th
Street, NW).

METRO:
Metro Center station (Red, Blue and Orange Lines) is two and one half blocks north of the theatre
from the Eleventh Street exit. Gallery Pl-Chinatown station (Red, Yellow and Green Lines) is two
and one half blocks north of the theatre from the G Street exit. For further information, call Metro
at (202) 637-7000.

Tickets at TicketMaster: (202) 397-SEAT TTD: (877) 474-4833 Toll Free: (800) 899-2367
www.Fords.org

Information: (202) 434-9548