They say you can never go home again...

While I'm not sure its true that you can never go home again, I will admit its hard. I came up to DC to attend the Grand Re-opening celebration of Ford's Theatre and it was an interesting experience. There's a delicate balance to be achieved. Totally possible, but just hard to do. I was exhilarated by the show and what they accomplished. Having been part of the team back in the summer who decided to do the undoable --open a world premiere, open a new facility, stage a monster one night show and do two open houses in one week -- I was amazed (though not surprised) at the quality and excellence of the production. I will see the world premiere on Friday so I can attest to that one later, but it got a good review from the Washington Post and that alone says something (they are notoriously hard on Ford's.) Anyway, the evening was spectacular. I took some photos but forgot to bring my cable with me to download to the computer. I'll post my photos later. I was going to try and upload some from someone else's Facebook but that wasn't destined to be.



The production included Richard Thomas as Emcee, Jessye Norman, Audra MacDonald, Joshua Bell (violinist), Jeffrey Wright, Ben Vereen, James Earl Jones, and Katie Couric to present the two Lincoln Medals. One went to George Lucas but the second one, oh, to be in the same room with Sidney Poitier was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I wasn't anywhere close, didn't get to meet him, but wow. He has been someone I've admired for many years and I was delighted he received the medal. He truly embodies integrity, strength, principle. I've been lucky enough to meet a few celebrities in my time at Ford's so I don't usually go weak in the knees, but I wouldn't have a clue what to say to Sidney Poitier except the very un-eloquent "thank you." "Thank you for sharing part of your life with us."

Oh, and I almost forgot. President and Michelle Obama attended as well. I was seriously impressed by that but got distracted by Sidney Poitier. Kudos to Ford's for making that happen. Its a testament to their skill, talents and relationships. Imagine getting on the calendar of a president who has been in office less than a month. Trust me, its not an easy task.

As usual, the dinner after was lovely. Ford's and their special events person Jennifer, do know how to throw a kick-ass party. It was held at the National Portrait Gallery in the new atrium -- it was a courtyard until recently when they put a beautiful glass roof over the area. It was lit wonderfully and the food was great.

But at the same time, it was odd to not be needed. To not have jobs to do. To truly be a guest. I think part of it was that this was a project I was involved in before I left. To come back at some future time when I have no connection, other than institutionally, may be different. I wanted to be so supportive, to let them know I understood even more than others, and hopefully they got that. Many people were kind and welcoming of me. Others seemed surprised that I would come. More than anything I don't want to be one of those people who can't leave.

So the celebration at Ford's had many meanings. It begins a new chapter for the theatre and its programming. Its a whole new way of doing business for them. And for me, it was a celebration of all that and more. It was a true delineation of a new chapter for me as well. I loved my work at Ford's. In so many ways I grew up there. I worked there for 18 years. Some years were long and arduous. Others flew by. But all of them gave me the opportunity to do work I loved. To be inspired by the acts of creation and imagination even during the most uninspired plays. To work with people over the years who gave so much to that little theatre and all that it embodies. To grow as a person and a manager, an organizer and public speaker, a dissident and a diplomat. To develop and grow my lifelong love of theatre and the arts in general and to find that there is truly nothing I can't do.

When I attend an event like last night's performance, I miss the glitz and glamour. But my time had come to move on. The time had come for new challenge and new experiences and to step out of my comfort zone. All of you around me knew -- but oddly enough, I didn't-- that I am the original "stayer." There aren't many of us left these days. - especially when it comes to jobs -- imagine, 18 years at one employer. For me, the only answer was monster change. And I did it. I doubt there are fewer places as different as Miami and DC. But change is good. It shakes up those pathways in the brain and demands your attention.

So no matter if I stay in Miami or move to Philly or DC someday, what I've learned is that you can move to new places or start new adventures in old places but you really don't want to go home again.