Abe Lincoln would be proud, if a little star struck.
A glittery by-invitation-only gala tonight marks the grand reopening of Ford’s Theater, where the 16th president was assassinated in 1865. The celebration of the theater’s two-year, $25 million renovation is the perfect blend of Washington political muscle and Hollywood star power.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-S.F.) will present the Lincoln Medal to “Star Wars” director George Lucas. Actor James Earl Jones, he of booming voice, will award one of the prestigious honors to actor Sidney Poitier. Tributes to Lincoln on the eve of the citywide celebration of his 200th anniversary will be offered by CBS News’ Katie Couric and actors Kelsey Grammer, Audra McDonald, Jeffrey Wright and Ben Vereen. Also performing: opera singer Jessye Norman.
Oh yes. And rumor is that President Obama, the first African-American president in history, will attend with his family. Lincoln, whose Emancipation Proclamation helped make that happen, would no doubt smile at that.
