WASHINGTON (AP) — Celebrities James Earl Jones, Kelsey Grammer and Katie Couric recently honored President Abraham Lincoln on his 200th birthday in a star-studded gala at Ford’s Theatre.
Also Sidney Poitier and Star Wars director George Lucas received the Lincoln Medal.
The theater where Lincoln was assassinated celebrated its reopening after an 18-month renovation. The $25-M facelift included new seats, a modern lobby and new dressing rooms.
President Barack Obama and his family were also invited to the party.
Ben Vereen, Jeffrey Wright, Audra McDonald and opera singer Jessye Norman paid tributes to Lincoln.
The theater is now reopen to the public.