New Players Set the Stage For a Fresher Ford's
Tuesday, June 27, 2006; Page C03
George and Laura Bush made the annual presidential pilgrimage to Ford's Theatre on Sunday night for "An American Celebration" with Tom Selleck, comedians Steve Bridges and Kevin Nealon and the usual mix of singers, musicians and adorable tykes. (Highlight: photos of Lincoln's pets!) The sweetly sentimental variety show (airing July 4 on ABC) charmed the big-bucks, bipartisan crowd and raised $1.5 million for the historic landmark.
Behind the scenes, however, the theater is getting a major facelift -- starting with new officers elected yesterday. Wayne Reynolds, CEO of the Academy of Achievement, replaces Richard Thompson of Bristol-Myers Squibb as chairman of the board. Ron Stowe is the new vice chairman and Cecile Tauzin the new secretary. The only person reelected was treasurer Robert Fitch.
 The president, first lady and director Paul Tetreault, left, at the Ford's Theatre Gala on Sunday. (Joshua Roberts -- Reuters) Save & Share |
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"There were people who wanted a re-energized focus," said Reynolds, husband of philanthropist Catherine Reynolds (a $1 million donor to the theater). "Meaning, to me, bringing in donors and more members of the community."
Thompson took over the theater three years ago after the death of founder Frankie Hewitt, who saved Ford's and ran it with a velvet fist. Thompson spent his tenure converting the one-woman shop to a modern business model, which caused some clashes with board members and ruffled more than a few congressional spouses.
Still, Thompson is credited for dragging Ford's into a new century. "I'm very pleased with the progress that has been made," said Thompson, adding that he would remain on the board but not did wish to stay on as chairman.
"Dick was absolutely the right person for the last three years," said Producing Director Paul Tetreault, whose house has but a handful of shows each year. "Wayne is the person to lead us for the next three years."
Reynolds is already planning snazzier marketing (whiz-bang multimedia stuff!) and will oversee a new $20 million capital campaign. "Every single seventh-grader in the country reads about Ford's Theatre," said Tetreault. "That's an amazing entree into people's lives. The sky is the limit."
At Least Tell Us We'll Always Have Washington
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| It's been lovely: Jellie van Eenennaam, left, wife of the Dutch ambassador; and Luma Kawar, wife of the Jordanian ambassador, are saying goodbye to Washington. |
Kawar, who is headed home so her kids can attend school in Jordan, was honored at the Italian Embassy by Lila Castellaneta (who got all teary during the lunch). Van Eenennaam and her husband, who are headed next to Geneva, said farewell at last night's reception at their Kalorama residence. Said the Dutch blonde with a laugh, "There will be new babes, no?"
Hey, Isn't That ...?
* Parris Glendening taking in a Saturday matinee of "Barbie Live in Fairytopia" at the Warner Theatre with 3-year-old daughter Bri and a friend, both wearing wings. Uh, both little girls, that is.
* New ABC "World News Tonight" anchor Charlie Gibson checking out French linen tablecloths and napkins with his wife and friends on Saturday at the R.H. Ballard shop in Washington, Va.
Love, Etc.
* Engaged: Four-time NASCAR champ Jeff Gordon, 34, to his Belgian model-actress girlfriend of two years, Ingrid Vandebosch, age ambiguous, best known as "third robber" in the Queen Latifah comedy "Taxi." Gordon split bitterly and expensively from first wife Brooke in 2003 but laughed off prenup questions. "Let's just say she's getting a guy who's a lot smarter and much better this time around," he told the Charlotte Observer.
* Married: "Desperate Housewives" star Marcia Cross, 44, and stockbroker Tom Mahoney, 48, in San Gabriel, Calif., Saturday, reports People magazine. First time for both . . . Also, "Medium" star Patricia Arquette, 38, and actor Thomas Jane, 37, in Venice after an engagement of, er, four years. So hard to get the reception space you want! She had a brief marriage to Nicolas Cage back in the '90s.
* Expecting: Jazz singer Diana Krall, 41, and rocker Elvis Costello, 51. They married in 2003. She's due in December -- their first child. His aim is true.
