James Earl Jones to fete Lincoln at Ford's Theatre

The theater where Lincoln was assassinated is reopening after an 18-month facelift that included new, more comfortable seats, a modern lobby and new dressing rooms. A revamped museum will open later this spring and future plans are for building a Lincoln Center for Education and Leadership across the street.

Before the event, the red carpet scene mixed Washington political muscle with Hollywood star power, as guests ranging from Cabinet members to movie producers strode past in sharply cut tuxedos and colorful gowns. Talk ranged from primetime television plotlines to opinions of the economic stimulus package being hammered out in Congress.

Kelsey Grammer said shortly before the event that he would take the stage to talk about Lincoln's love of Shakespeare. However, he couldn't resist a topic more appropriate to the locale: President Barack Obama.

"I still get a tear in my eye every time i see him on television," Grammer said, adding he didn't always agree with Obama's politics.