Shutdown Stops 'The Laramie Project'

Ford's Theatre has announced that due to the shutdown of the federal government, performances of The Laramie Project have been canceled ''as long as the shutdown is in effect.'' While the shutdown affects Ford's Theatre, which operates as a partnership of the federal National Park Service and the private Ford's Theatre Society, the shutdown has not closed The Center for Education and Leadership, which is wholly owned by the society. As the center continues operations at 514 10th St. NW, visitors may view the exhibit Not Alone: The Power of Response, which features some of the 10,000 letters sent to the Shepard family following Matthew Shepard's murder.

According to Ford's associate director of communications, Lauren Beyea, some contingency plans will likely be announced soon on fords.org.

UPDATE: Wednesday, Oct. 2, 4:20 p.m.: Ford's Theatre has announced that during the closure it will present two free performances of The Laramie Project at an alternate venue, First Congregational United Church of Christ, at 945 G St. NW. The free performances will be Friday, Oct. 4, at 7:30 p.m., and Tuesday, Oct. 8, at 7:30 p.m. Tickets will be distributed on a first-come basis beginning at 6:30 p.m., with doors opening at 7 p.m. Further, the scheduled Monday, Oct. 7, Lincoln Legacy Project panel discussion featuring Dave O'Malley, former Laramie, Wyo., police commander, and Billy Rawles, former sheriff of Jasper, Texas, has been moved from the theater to The Center for Education and Leadership at 514 10th St. NW, still set for 7 p.m. The panel discussion is a free event.