Government Shutdown Halts Ford's Theatre Play

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Ford's Theatre has canceled performances of "The Laramie Project" because the theater must close during the government shutdown, but it will present two free performances at a nearby church.

Theater officials had planned to go ahead with evening performances because the programing is funded privately and run by a nonprofit group. However, the theater where President Abraham Lincoln was assassinated is a National Park Service site and has been closed.

Ford's will present free performances Friday and Oct. 8 at First Congregational United Church of Christ.

The production will resume at Ford's once it reopens.

"The Laramie Project" is part of the theater's Lincoln Legacy Project focusing on diversity and equality. The production marks 15 years since Matthew Shepard, a gay college student, was abducted and killed in Laramie, Wyo.

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