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Stars align for annual Ford’s Theatre gala

Jason Fraley | jfraley@wtop.com

June 1, 2015, 2:34 AM

Introduction With the ghost of Abraham Lincoln watching from the Ford’s Theatre balcony above, Martina McBride belted, Joss Stone jammed and Boyz II Men played the hits to salute Diane Nash, who was presented with the Lincoln Medal for her role as a civil rights activist. Listen below for some highlights, then click through the gallery to see the photos.  (Photo: James R. Brantley)
Photo: James R. Brantley
The red carpet is pictured here outside Ford's Theatre's entertainer-filled event Sunday, May 31, 2015. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Ford’s Theatre rolled out the red carpet Sunday, May 31, 2015 for the Ford’s Theatre Society’s annual gala. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
WTOP/Jason Fraley
Crowds gathered outside Ford's Theatre Sunday, May 31, 2015 in hopes of catching a glimpse of stars attending the gala. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
A crowd gathered outside Ford’s Theatre Sunday, May 31, 2015 in hopes of catching a glimpse of stars attending the gala. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
WTOP/Jason Fraley
Diane Nash was presented with the Lincoln Medal for her work as a civil rights activist. A news release from the Ford's Theatre Society stated that her "extraordinary character, service and life work reflects Lincoln’s legacy of equality, wisdom and justice." (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Diane Nash was presented with the Lincoln Medal for her work as a civil rights activist in organizing the 1961 Freedom Rides. A news release from the Ford’s Theatre Society stated that her “extraordinary character, service and life work reflects Lincoln’s legacy of equality, wisdom and justice.” (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
WTOP/Jason Fraley
(WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Joss Stone performed her own original song “Star” before bringing the house down with a cover of “Glory” from the film “Selma.”  (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
WTOP/Jason Fraley
(WTOP/Jason Fraley)
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi attended the gala Sunday, May 31, 2015, which benefits the Ford's Theatre Society. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi attended the gala Sunday, May 31, 2015, which benefits the Ford’s Theatre Society. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
WTOP/Jason Fraley
Eric Holder was among those attending the Ford's Theatre Society's gala, which included a special performance and dinner. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Former Attorney General Eric Holder was among those attending the Ford’s Theatre Society’s gala, which included a special performance and dinner. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
WTOP/Jason Fraley
Cellist duo 2 Cellos hit the red carpet before performing covers of U2’s “With or Without You” and Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal.” (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
WTOP/Jason Fraley
Tommy Tune, 9-time Tony winner, was a highlight of the gala festivities. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Broadway legend Tommy Tune hosted the event and performed a tap number. The nine-time Tony winner will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award at next week’s Tony Awards. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
WTOP/Jason Fraley
Ford’s Theatre Director Paul Tetreault spoke about the annual gala on the red carpet May 31, 2015. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
WTOP/Jason Fraley
Rickey Minor, of “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno” and “American Idol” was on the Ford’s Theatre red carpet May 31, 2015. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
WTOP/Jason Fraley
A peek inside Ford’s Theatre during the Ford’s Theatre Society’s annual gala held on May 31, 2015. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
WTOP/Jason Fraley
Martina McBride performs at the Ford’s Theatre Gala in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, May 31, 2015. (Photo: James R. Brantley)
Photo: James R. Brantley
Boyz II Men perform at the Ford’s Theatre Gala in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, May 31, 2015. (Photo: Margot Schulman)
Photo: Margot Schulman
Joss Stone performs at the Ford’s Theatre Gala in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, May 31, 2015. (Photo: Margot Schulman)
Photo: Margot Schulman
Celebrated dancer and choreographer Tommy Tune perfoms at the Ford’s Theatre Gala on Sunday, May 31, 2015. (Photo: Margot Schulman)
Photo: Margot Schulman
Croatian cellists Luka Sulic and Stjepan Hauser, known as 2CELLOS, perform at the Ford’s Theatre Gala on Sunday, May 31, 2015 in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Margot Schulman)
Photo: Margot Schulman
Joss Stone performs with Croatia’s 2CELLOS at the Ford’s Theatre Gala on Sunday, May 31, 2015 in Washington, D.C. (Photo: Margot Schulman)
Photo: Margot Schulman
The Lincoln Medal was presented to civil rights advocate Diane Nash by former United States Attorney General Eric Holder during the Ford’s Theatre Gala on Sunday, May 31, 2015. (Photo: James R. Brantley)
Photo: James R. Brantley
The cast of the 2015 Ford’s Theatre included Boyz II Men, Tommy Tune, 2CELLOS, Martina McBride and the cast of the Ford’s Theatre musical “Freedom’s Song: Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War.” (Photo: Margot Schulman)
Photo: Margot Schulman
The cast of the 2015 Ford’s Theatre included Boyz II Men, Joss Stone, Tommy Tune, 2CELLOS, Martina McBride and the cast of the Ford’s Theatre musical “Freedom’s Song: Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War.” (Photo: Margot Schulman)
Photo: Margot Schulman
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The red carpet is pictured here outside Ford's Theatre's entertainer-filled event Sunday, May 31, 2015. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Crowds gathered outside Ford's Theatre Sunday, May 31, 2015 in hopes of catching a glimpse of stars attending the gala. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Diane Nash was presented with the Lincoln Medal for her work as a civil rights activist. A news release from the Ford's Theatre Society stated that her "extraordinary character, service and life work reflects Lincoln’s legacy of equality, wisdom and justice." (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi attended the gala Sunday, May 31, 2015, which benefits the Ford's Theatre Society. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Eric Holder was among those attending the Ford's Theatre Society's gala, which included a special performance and dinner. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
Tommy Tune, 9-time Tony winner, was a highlight of the gala festivities. (WTOP/Jason Fraley)
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December 5, 2025 | (Jason Fraley)

WASHINGTON — Ford’s Theatre played host to the Ford’s Theatre Society’s annual gala Sunday, May 31, 2015. Boyz II Men, Martina McBride, Joss Stone and others turned out to salute Diane Nash, who was presented with the Lincoln Medal for her role as a civil rights activist.

Jason Fraley

Hailed by The Washington Post for “his savantlike ability to name every Best Picture winner in history," Jason Fraley began at WTOP as Morning Drive Writer in 2008, film critic in 2011 and Entertainment Editor in 2014, providing daily arts coverage on-air and online.

jfraley@wtop.com

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