A Night at the Theater

American Celebration at Ford's Theatre 2005 Presidential Gala for President George W Bush and First Lady Laura Bush

Please accept my apologies for today’s belated post. My last week has been wrought with unavoidable time-consuming issues, one being someone broke into one of our bank accounts and began draining it. No debit card was needed, but the problem was solved yesterday. Other things like caring for a car so we only had one. Life all at once. I was hoping to be able to share a video of our performance at the Forwards Theater but I haven’t located it on YouTube, and I need to transfer it and many others from beta. In the future, I will post it.

A signed photograph with President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush taken at the White House

He giggled like a little schoolboy when I met him following Jonathan and mine’s performance at the Ford’s Theater in Washington DC, where in 1865, on April 14, President Lincoln was shot while watching a performance of the comedy “Our American Cousin.” He died the next day on April 15, assassinated by John Wilkes Booth, and at his bedside, Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton stated, "Now he belongs to the ages." This is a familiar story to all who have studied American history, and the shock of the assassination forced the closure of the theater for over 100 years and only officially reopened in 1968.

The first presidential gala, called "A Festival at Ford's," was presented in 1970 without President Nixon present. Still, First Lady Pat Nixon and daughters Tricia and Julie attended the show, making it the first of future yearly presidential galas to grace the iconic stage. Fast forward to the 21st Century when the annual Gala at the Ford’s Theater the night I performed ended with final bows, and President George W Bush Junior delivered his thank you speech and then turned to acknowledge all the performing artists that night. The President and First Lady Laura Bush stopped to shake hands and praise each entertainer. When the First Couple approached us, President Bush’s face lit up like a kid in a candy shop, causing me to look around to find the cause of his wonder. Then I realized he was focusing his gaze on Jonathan and me. I couldn’t quite tell whether his look was curiosity, amusement, or delight, but it combined all those and more. Like a child gleefully admiring a magician after a birthday party performance, he shook our hands. He expressed his astonishment and joy upon experiencing our magic. He couldn't wait to ask questions, which caused everyone to stare at us as he stopped to speak to us, lingering with Jonathan and me as he asked similar magic questions often posed by young ones mesmerized by illusions. All the performers had thoroughly entertained Bush, but that he stopped for several moments with us was a humbling and elevating experience. Here was the President of the United States commending us on our work and how he and the First Lady were stunned by the illusions presented that evening. Standing before those we believe to be great and who lavish you with compliments produces humility, gratitude, and appreciation, producing positive well-being because you have a clearer understanding of your inner self. At the same time, the same emotions drive your state of being higher, bringing you confidence and a sense of moral beauty. This was the feeling I felt when thanking the 43rd President of the United States for his gracious, flattering remarks when he singled out The Pendragon’s performance in his speech following the celebrity-billed show "An American Celebration at Ford’s Theatre," which aired July 4, 2005, an ABC TV Special produced by Gil Gates s prominent Hollywood producer.

First lady Laura Bush and President George W. Bush thanking us and the other entertainers performing at the 2005 presidential gala at the Ford’s theater in Washington DC.

This was not The Pendragons' first presidential gala at the Ford’s Theater. Our first presidential gala was presented for President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton in 1995. A long tradition of the show is the president invites his favorite performer of the previous year’s gala to a command performance in the next year's show. It was us, The Pendragons, who were President Clinton’s guests for the 1996 gala. The first year we performed in 1995, we lined up with Chicago, Shania Twain, The Temptations, Jeff Foxworthy, and hosted by Brett Butler. Of these performers, Clinton somehow chose us, and that was an exhilarating experience and one I will talk about more extensively in future writing. To establish The Pendragon's history of performing Ford Theater presidential galas, I just wanted to reference these previous shows. So without further ado….

The 2005 Ford’s Theater presidential gala was hosted by Jeff Foxworthy, who we performed with earlier in the 95 show. Jeff had become our friend because we had been with him at other presentations like high-end corporate functions. It was comforting to work and see him once again, and with his pleasing personality and authenticity, he knew how to charm an audience as well as his peers sharing the bill. Backstage and on stage, he is a beautiful human being. It’s nice to work with people who have secure confidence and a stable ego and who don't have to prove themselves worthy because they just “are.” I have found over the years that working with less earnest performers is often disappointing, so it was good to see his face among such notable celebrities as Geena Davis and Hillary Duff, who both remained quiet and seemingly detached from the show, most likely because they had events immediately following the event. Hillary Duff was absent during President Bush’s speech, and she left early for another gig.

First Lady Laura Bush and President George W Bush speaking following our show

After the curtain fell on the five-day-long event, which included several DC get-togethers, including a genuine “ball” and a White House soiree dinner with DC and Hollywood influencers of that time who moved, shook, and molded our world during the era, I had much reflection. Bush’s reaction to our magic performance reminded me these impactful architects of society relish moments in their lives when they can relax and soak up the enjoyable moments of life’s existence. It made me realize when God searches deep in our soul, He hopes to find a human being with compassion and needs and gives accordingly to each of us love, understanding, and especially mercy because none of us is perfect. In the past, I often put many of these world leaders above myself - on a pedestal and held them to our Creator’s highest standard when, in fact, we are all created equal in God’s mind. All of us are challenged daily with moral decisions in our personal and professional lives, which affect all of us. Our decisions and choices influence the entire world community, and even our failures are meant to teach us powerful, profound lessons about the governance of humanity. In those moments of contemplation, I empathized with our world leaders regardless of religious, philosophical, and political differences. We are all “one,” much communication and rapport are needed these days. While listening to Bush’s final speech, my eyes wandered to the American flag hanging above the booth where Lincoln had sat, absorbing moments of repose and tranquility in this quaint, intimate theater, enjoying the show before he was shot. The booth remained empty since the last time Lincoln sat there. I could see John Wilkes Booth scrambling like a coward to escape arrest by jumping off the balcony and hooking the spur of his boot to the American flag, ripping it as he fell to the stage, breaking his leg in the process and landing just about where I stood listening to the President’s words—a final pathetic stand for the Southern Confederacy, which lost the Civil War.

Pictured here the presidental booth at the Ford’s Theater where Lincoln sat when he was shot. This is where John Wilkes Booth leapt to the stage and caught his boot spur on the American flag.

Although I was born in Montana, I was primarily raised and educated in the state of California, where two presidential birthdays were celebrated with days off from school. George Washington’s birthday was on the 22nd of February, and Lincoln’s on the 12th of the month. So, in February, we had two extra days off. February was the month of birthdays, so every kid who had a birthday in that month was highlighted and that included me because my birthday falls later in February. It was a time of whimsical pink and red hearts, flowers, and valentines, and I loved it because this was my month, along with a few other kids in my class who celebrated their births. All my elementary teachers made February special, but when March came, nobody cared, and the only thing we did was wear green, avoiding being pinched. February was the ideal month to be born.

Pictured here Margo time in our assistant and myself in front of the Lincoln Memorial

In 1971, during my junior year of high school, a significant change occurred, and Congress decided to converge Washington and Lincoln birthdays into one holiday to be celebrated on the second Monday called President’s Day, honoring all Presidents in one national commemoration, eliminating the argument for a separate holiday for Lincoln. But President’s Day is still officially Washington’s Birthday, ignoring other Presidents following his footsteps. As a teen, it didn’t matter to me because I was almost finished with school, and I didn’t understand the political nuances associated with President Lincoln of the North and Robert E Lee, the leader of the South, during the Civil War. I learned that California was a mere territory and in the infancy of becoming a state in the union. Perhaps it was the need to belong to the union, but state legislators sided with the North, so we got an extra February holiday. President Washington’s birthday was preserved and continues today as a national holiday, although it’s called Presidents Day. In all appearances, it seemed like Washington and Lincoln’s birthdays intersected into one remarkable birthday celebrating the two extraordinary American leaders with similar goals who fought for the sovereignty of Americans for what became internationally known as the free world. Still, President’s Day remains officially Washington’s Birthday, celebrated on the third Monday of February, and has become the occasion also to recognize Lincoln’s birthday. But really, Presidents’ Day has nothing to do with President Lincoln. But it has quieted those who have championed Congress for his national holiday since the day of his assassination at the Ford’s theater.

In the first picture Jonathan and I and our two assistance Margo Timon and Michael Trent along with our manager Rick Marcelli. In the second picture I am with Rick Marceli, in the third photograph with Michael Trent our road manager and the last picture I am with my dear friend, assistant and magician Margo Timon

I snapped out of my trance when the curtain closed, and with the other entertainers, we got in limousines and town cars and left for another big party to celebrate the evening. I understand patrons spend $100,000.00 a ticket to attend the multi-day event. I learned this from a couple who recognized me from previous shows and stopped to chat with me in the Congress dome, where we partied a few nights earlier with members of Congress, the Senate, and other important Washington figures. The first time I was at this get-together was in 1995, when we performed for President Clinton; where upon our arrival at the party, Jonathan, myself, and our crew were met by Senator Trent Lott, who became our private host for the evening and gave us an entire tour of all of Congress. The second year, it was Alan Simpson who was our host. These guys are long gone from serving office, and many younger readers may not recognize their names, but at the time, you watched them on CSpan every day, and their names were prominently in the news. In 2005, when Bush was President, our country was recovering from the 911 attack, and we were at war in Iraq and Afghanistan. Hence, security was tighter, so most rooms in Congress closed off from the party, including the wood paneled lounge area behind Congress, where members of Congress hung out smoking cigars and socializing with games of pool or board games. It wasn’t quite the same this year, but it was just as exciting. But tonight, we were going to the American Legion Building for one final dinner attended by the patrons and entertainers. Because this was an after-show party, we had more chances to mingle with the elite of Washington, DC. These get-togethers always resulted in future shows for us, so from a professional standpoint, attending was essential. But it was also surreal to be at a formal white-tie event, dining with the most influential people in America and being the focus of their attention. For someone like me who grew up in Norman Rockwell town in rural California, this was a dreamlike adventure to absorb.

Jonathan and I in our limousine going to the White House for dinner

As the evening wrapped, I ran through the day in my head, starting with morning rehearsals before the show's White House dinner, where I formally met President Bush and First Lady Bush. I met Clinton and Hillary Clinton the same way, except not as formal. The Clintons were far more relaxed and intimate. For instance, the Clintons met all the entertainers in a private room and approached each of us individually for an introduction and photograph, much like meeting the queen. The Bushes differed because we approached them for a formal introduction and photograph. It was a hurried introduction because we had a time restraint and needed to be back up at Ford’s theater for the show. As I approached George Bush, He gave me a look up and down and said, “My, you are beautiful.” with confirmation from Laura Bush. I thanked them, but it was a bit of an awkward moment. Jonathan broke the ice by complimenting Laura and saying she was beautiful. She stood there like an angel wearing a coral-colored gown, smiling and friendly…and they both were surprisingly relaxed, happy, and funny. Their personalities were a contrast to the formal setting. We couldn’t stay long at this dinner because we were whisked off to return to the theater in preparation for the show. When it was show time, I took some comfort standing next to Geena Davis, who was as nervous as I was, but Jeff Foxworthy broke the ice and told a few witty jokes backstage. I use comedy to calm the excessive butterflies in my stomach before a show. I was thrilled he was there, and all of the performances went well that night under the direction of Producer Gil Cates.

Oscars producer Gil Cates sits in the production truck prior to the 77th annual Academy Awards at the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles.

Back in my hotel room, I felt like Cinderella after the clock struck 12. The lyrics of the Bobbie Darin song, The Curtain Falls, came into my head as I changed into my pajamas.

“Off comes the make-up

Off comes the clown's disguise

The curtain's fallin'

The music softly dies

But I hope you're smilin'

As you're filin' out the door

'Cause as they say in this biz

That's all there is, there isn't anymore…”

We've shared a moment

And as the moment ends

I got a funny feelin'

We're parting now as friends

Your cheers and laughter will linger after

They have torn down these dusty walls

If I had this to do again, and the evening were new again

I would spend it with you again but now the curtain falls

Your cheers and laughter will linger after

They've torn down these dusty walls

People say I was made for this

Nothin' else would I trade for this

And just think I get paid for this

Good night, ladies and gentlemen, and God love you”

Transcript of President George W Bush speech

THE PRESIDENT: Jeff, thanks for the warm introduction. I like a good, long introduction. (Laughter.) Say, listen, if you're ever looking for work, Laura is looking for some new material. (Laughter.)

We've had a wonderful time this evening. Thank you all very much. I particularly want to thank the entertainers tonight: Debbie Allen and Geena Davis, Hilary Duff, Josh Gracin, Denyce Graves, and Jesse McCartney -- thanks for dedicating a song to Laura, Jesse.

MRS. BUSH: Thank you very much, Jesse.

THE PRESIDENT: Pendragons -- how about the Pendragons? (Applause.) And Julie Roberts. Thank you all so very much for being here.

I also want to thank our Gala chair, Catherine Reynolds, as well as the general co-chairs who are here -- Karyn Frist, Landra Reid, Abby Blunt, and Debbie Dingell. Laura and I thank the Ford's Theatre Society, and to the producing director, Paul Tetreault.

Since we moved to Washington, Laura and I have been guests of Ford's Theatre a number of times, and we appreciate the vital work it is doing. As a working stage, Ford's Theatre provides an important venue for the arts right here in the heart of our Nation's Capital.

I'm really grateful to the members of the Armed Services who participated in tonight's celebration. (Applause.) Our military is defending America and advancing the cause of freedom and peace around the world. We are privileged to be citizens of a country served by our brave troops, and we thank them for their service.

We appreciate the military families who are with us tonight. It's not easy being left behind when a loved one goes to war. By loving and supporting a man or woman in uniform, our military families also serve our nation, and America is grateful to all of them for their support and sacrifice. (Applause.)

Once again, we thank all the entertainers and the supporters of the Ford's Theatre who have made this evening one to remember. May God bless you all, and may God continue to bless the United States. (Applause.)