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1986 - 1987 Season

Is There Life After High School? - Musical (World Premiere)
A Ford´s Theatre Society Production
Written by Jeffrey Kindley
Music and lyrics by Craig Carnelia
Directed by David H. Bell
September 12 – October 26, 1986

*Greater Tuna
Written by Joe Sears, Jaston Williams and Ed Howard
Directed by Ed Howard
Featuring: Joe Sears, Jaston Williams
October 28-November 30, 1986

The Chinese Golden Dragon Holiday Spectacular
December 16, 1986 – January 4, 1987

All My Sons
Written by Arthur Miller
Directed by Arvin Brown
Featuring Richard Kiley
February 7 – March 15, 1987

Nunsense - Musical
A Ford´s Theatre Society Production
Written and directed by Dan Goggin
Featuring Peggy Cass
March 12 – July 26, 1987

ABC-TV Special – A Festival at Ford's
Featuring: Bea Arthur, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Don Johnson, Sammy Cahn, Cab Calloway, Glen Campbell, David Copperfield, Norm Crosby, Alessandra Ferri, Maureen McGovern, Kevin McKenzie, Bob Nelson, David Sanborn
Gala Date: June 21, 1987

1985 – 1986 Season

Handy Dandy
Written by William Gibson
Featuring Audra Lindley and James Whitmore
September 21 – October 13, 1986

Barbara Cook: A Broadway Evening - Musical
Featuring Barbara Cook with Nicholas, Glover & Wray
October 15 – October 27, 1986

Little Me - Musical
A Ford´s Theatre Society Production
Written by Neil Simon
Music by Cy Coleman
Lyrics by Dorothy Fields
Directed by David H. Bell
November 1, 1985 – January 5, 1986

*Jeeves Takes Charge
Conceived and adapted by Edward Duke
Directed by Gillian Lynne
Featuring Edward Duke
February 4 – 23, 1986

Hot Mikado – Musical (World Premiere)
A Ford´s Theatre Society Production
Written by Gilbert & Sullivan
Adapted by Rob Bowman & David H. Bell
Directed by David H. Bell
March 18 – July 27, 1986

CBS-TV Special – A Festival at Ford's
Featuring: Richard Chamberlain, Jaclyn Smith, Louie Anderson, Paul Anka, Kathleen Battle, Victor Borge, Fernando Bujones, Lance Burton, Sandy Duncan, Joel Grey, Cynthia Harvey, Freddie Roman, Ross Stretton, Sylvia, Tommy Tune, and the cast of HOT MIKADO
Gala Date: June 8, 1986

1984 - 1985 Season

*Will Rogers’ U.S.A.
Staged and adapted by Paul Shyre
Featuring James Whitmore
September 11 – 30, 1984

Greater Tuna
Written by Joe Sears and Jaston Williams in collaboration with Ed Howard
Directed by Ed Howard
Featuring Joe Sears and Jaston Williams
October 2 – November 11, 1984

*A Christmas Carol - Musical
A Ford´s Theatre Society Production
Adapted by Rae Allen and Timothy Near
Featuring Jarlath Conroy
November 23 – December 30, 1984

Balletap USA – Musical
Featuring Maurice Hines and Mercedes Ellington
Guest artist Carmen de Lavallade
January 8 – 20, 1985

Ceremonies In Dark Old Men
Written by Lonnie Elder III
Featuring Negro Ensemble Company
Featuring Douglas Turner Ward and Robert Hooks
February 5 – March 3, 1985

*Godspell – Musical
A Ford´s Theatre Society Production
Written by Stephen Schwartz
Conceived by John-Michael Tebelak
Directed by David H. Bell

CBS-TV Special – Festival at Ford's
Featuring: Linda Evans, John Forsythe, Ricardo Montalban, James Whitmore, Berosini’s Orangutans, David Copperfield, Robert Guillaume, Delores Hall with the cast of GODSPELL, Cynthia Harvey, Julia Migenes-Johnson, Patti LaBelle, Ronn Lucas, Featured performers of "Singin’ In The Rain"
Gala Date: June 2, 1985

1983 - 1984 Season

Amen Corner – Musical (World premiere)
A Ford´s Theatre Society Production
Written by Peter Udell and Philip Rose
Featuring Rhetta Hughes and Roger Robinson
September 8 – October 23, 1983

A Soldier's Play
Written by Charles Fuller
Featuring Negro Ensemble Company
October 27 – November 20, 1983

*A Christmas Carol –Musical
A Ford´s Theatre Society Production
Adapted by Rae Allen and Timothy Near
Featuring Jarlath Conroy
November 30, 1983 – January 1, 1984

Jeeves Takes Charge
Conceived and adapted by Edward Duke
Directed by Gillian Lynne
Featuring Edward Duke
January 31 – February 12, 1984

Canterbury Tales
Featuring The New Vic Company
February 14 – 26, 1984

On Shiloh Hill – Musical (World Premiere)
A Ford´s Theatre Society Production
Conceived and adapted by Bill Schustik in collaboration with Suzanne Benham
Choreography by Dennis Dennehy
Arrangements and Orchestrations by John McKinney
Directed by Byron F. Ringland
Featuring: Mitchell Anderson, Meg Bussert, Alan Campbell, Elmore James, Queen Esther Marrow, Bill Schustik, Paul Ukena, Jr., Marianna Allen, Gregory Ford, Lynne Goldsman, Anna Greene, David Heath, Randy Mullins, Nancy Nichols, Mary Robin Roth, Carleton Carpenter
March 28 – July 1, 1984

A Festival at Ford's – On Shiloh hill World Premiere Gala
Featuring: The cast of On Shiloh Hill (Not televised)
Gala Date: April 8, 1984

1982– 1983 Season

One Thousand Years of Jazz - Musical
Featuring: The Legends of Jazz, The Original Hoofers and Deborah Woodson
September 9 – October 10, 1982

Metromedia-TV Special – A Festival at Ford's
Featuring: E. G. Marshall, Grace Bumbry, David Copperfield, Michael Davis, Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers Band, Natalia Makarova and Denys Ganio, Liza Minelli, Wayne Newton, Lou Rawls, Ben Vereen, with the cast of 1000 Years of Jazz and the U.S. Army Chorus
Gala Date: September 25, 1982

Churchill (World Premiere)
A Ford´s Theatre Society Production
Written by Samuel Gallu
Featuring Roy Dotrice
October 12 – November 14, 1982

*A Christmas Carol - Musical
A Ford´s Theatre Society Production
Adapted by Rae Allen and Timothy Near
Featuring Jarlath Conroy
November 26, 1982 – January 2, 1983

Mass Appeal
Written by Bill Davis
Featuring Milo O’Shea and Adam Redfield
March 8 – April 10, 1983

Dancin’ In the Street – Musical
A Ford´s Theatre Society Production
Conceived and written by Sheldon Goldberg
Directed and choreographed by Billy Wilson
April 17 – June 19, 1983

1981– 1982 Season

Black Nativity – Musical
A Ford´s Theatre Society Production
Written by Langston Hughes
September 11 – November 1, 1981

*A Christmas Carol - Musical
A Ford´s Theatre Society Production
Adapted by Rae Allen & Timothy Near
Featuring Jarlath Conroy
November 27, 1981 – January 3, 1982

Diversions & Delights
Written by John Gay
Featuring Vincent Price
January 11 – January 31, 1982

The Orphan's Revenge – Musical (World Premiere)
A Ford´s Theatre Society Production
Written by Gene Casey & Suzanne Buhrer
February 12 – May 16, 1982

1980– 1981 Season

Holy Ghosts
Written by Romulus Linney
September 30 – October 12, 1980

Steps In Time (The American Dance Machine) - Musical (World Premiere)
A Ford´s Theatre Society Production
Conceived and directed by Lee Theodore
Featuring Janet Eilber, Denny Shearer, Francois Szony
October 29 - November 16, 1980

*A Christmas Carol – Musical
A Ford´s Theatre Society Production
Adapted by Rae Allen & Timothy Near
Featuring John Cullum
December 5, 1980 – January 3, 1981

I’m Getting My Act Together and Taking It On the Road – Musical
A Ford´s Theatre Society Production
Written by Nancy Ford & Gretchen Cryer
Featuring Louisa Flaningam, Ralph Byers
January 18 – June 21, 1981

NBC-TV Special - A Festival at Ford's
Featuring: Tony Bennett, George Benson, Lynda Carter, Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash, David Copperfield, Christopher Cross, Rodney Dangerfield, Dom DeLuise, Peter Gennaro, Andy Gibb, Lena Horne, Loretta Lynn, Victoria Principal, Jack Klugman, Natalia Makarova, Luciano Pavorotti, Itzhak Perlman, Juliet Prowse, Twyla Tharp, Andy Williams
Gala Date: March 21, 1981

1979– 1980 Season

NBC-TV Special – A Celebration of Country Music
Featuring: Lynn Anderson, Senator Robert Byrd & The Autumn Harvest, Glen Campbell, Johnny Cash, Roy Clark, Freddy Fender, Larry Gatlin, Tom T. Hall, Loretta Lynn, Ronnie Milsap, Bill Monroe & The Bluegrass Boys, The Oak Ridge Boys, Dolly Parton, Eddie Rabbitt, Charlie Rich, Ray Stevens, The Statler Brothers, Mel Tillis, Dottie West, Tammy Wynette
Gala Date: October 2, 1979

The Shadow Box
Written by Michael Cristofer
Featuring Ron Bishop
October 9 – 28, 1979

*Will Rogers’ U.S.A.
Staged & directed by: Paul Shyre
Featuring James Whitmore
October 31 – November 25, 1979

A Christmas Carol - Musical (World Premiere)
A Ford´s Theatre Society Production
Adapted by Rae Allen & Timothy Near
Featuring Ron Bishop
December 4, 1979 – January 6, 1980

Mr. Lincoln
A Ford´s Theatre Society Production
Written by Herbert Mitgang
Featuring Roy Dotrice
January 14 – February 17, 1980

Day By Day – Musical (World Premiere)
A Ford´s Theatre Society Production
Conceived by Ernie Zulia & Frank Bartolucci
Music & lyrics by Stephen Schwartz
February 4 – April 6, 1980

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – Musical
A Ford´s Theatre Society Production
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics by Tim Rice
Directed by James D. Waring
Choreographed by Wayne Cilento
Musical Direction & Special Vocal and Instrumental Arrangements by Kevin J. McCarthy
Featuring: Patrick A’Hearn, Ed Bourgeois, Don Brenner, Celia K. Clark, Denise Correa, Blaise Corrigan, Joe Dawson, Tony Elliot, Michael Garcia, Brad Gettelfinger, Jessica Guy, Weston Harris, Ayl G. Mack, Debra Spurlock McCarthy, Joe McGuire, Mark Murphy, Joseph P. Normile, Brian O’Connor, Eric Pierpoint, Rosalyn Rahn, Jann Simpson, Carolyn Swift, Aetna Thompson-Collins, Doug Voet
April 23 – September 28, 1980

1978– 1979 Season

Bullshot Crumond
Written by Ron House, Diz White, Alan Shearman, John Neville-Andrews
Featuring Alan Shearman, Ron House, Brandis Kemp, Diz White, Mark Blankfield
September 25 – October 29, 1978

Woody GUTHRIE (World Premiere)
A Ford´s Theatre Society Production
Developed by Tom Taylor
Featuring Tom Taylor
November 6 - 26, 1978

Quentin Crisp
Featuring Quentin Crisp
November 28 – December 3, 1978

Lady Lily – Musical
Written by Marge Greene
Music & Lyrics Harold Beebe, Jr.
Featuring Tessie O’Shea
December 17, 1978 – January 7, 1979

Storyville – Musical (World Premiere)
A Ford´s Theatre Society Production
Written by Ed Bullins
Music & lyrics Mildred Kayden
Featuring Ira Hawkins, Edye Byrde, Yahee
January 27 – March 4, 1979

Festival – Musical (World Premiere)
A Ford´s Theatre Society Production
Written by Stephen Downs & Randal Martin
Featuring Gregory Harrison, Bill Hutton, Maureen McNamara
March 22 – April 29, 1979

Groucho (World Premiere)
A Ford´s Theatre Society Production
Written by Lewis Stadlen & Denny Martin Flinn
Featuring Lewis J. Stadlen
May 8 – June 3, 1979

1977– 1978 Season

Diversions & Delights
Written by John Gay
Featuring Vincent Price
October 11 – 30; November 8 – 13, 1977

Hold Me!
Written by Jules Feiffer
November 15 – December 11, 1977
Max Morath, The Ragtime Years
Staged by Neal Kenyon & Max Morath
Featuring Max Morath
December 21, 1977 – January 15, 1978

NBC-TV Special – Tenth Anniversary Celebration
Featuring: James Whitmore, Vincent Price, Bill Schustik, Delores Hall, Billy Dee Williams, Linda Hopkins, Henry Fonda, John Houseman, Lorne Greene, Alexis Smith and The American Dance Machine
Gala Date: January 29, 1978

The American Dance Machine – Musical (World Premiere)
A Ford´s Theatre Society Production
Conceived and directed by Lee Theodore
Featuring Swen Swenson, Janet Eilber, Barry Preston, Harold Cromer
February 2 – March 5; April 4 – 30, 1978

*Will Rogers’ U.S.A.
Staged and adapted by Paul Shyre
Featuring James Whitmore
March 6 – April 2, 1978

Mother Courage
Written by Bertolt Brecht
Featuring Mary Lou Rosato and The Acting Company
May 2 – 6, 1978

Robber Bridegroom – Musical
A Ford´s Theatre Society Production
Written by Alfred Uhry
Music by Robert Waldman
Featuring Tom Wopat, Rhonda Coullet
May 14 – June 25, 1978

*Encore Performance