Presidents Project Inc., a nonprofit organization, will hold a special one-day benefit performance by the national touring company Presidents and Their First Ladies, Dramatically Speaking on Wednesday, Feb. 5 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. at the Finland House (301 Central Blvd., Lantana).
The veteran acting/writing couple of William and Sue Wills have 35 U.S. presidential couples in their repertoire. This program, entitled “Our Quaker Presidents,” will focus on two men who were brought up in the Quaker faith but were as different as day and night — Herbert Hoover and Richard Nixon. Both have problematic presidential legacies: Hoover, the Great Depression, and Nixon, scandal and resignation. Yet each won Electoral College landslides of 83 percent and 96 percent, respectively.
Their life stories with their wives are ones of great interest. You will learn of the many humanitarian programs in which the Hoovers help feed many nations after World War I and World War II, and their efforts to help the youth of America. The Nixons risked their lives in their travels as a vice presidential couple, with Pat Nixon showing tremendous courage in other missions of comfort and relief as first lady.
The Wills will receive no compensation for this performance, and all net proceeds will be donated to Homes For Our Troops, a nonprofit organization that builds specially adapted custom homes for injured post-9/11 veterans. Funds will go to specifically help build the home for Marine Staff Sergeant Liam Dwyer of Lake Worth.
Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased by visiting www.presidentsproject.org, and an e-ticket will be sent by e-mail. Last minute phone reservations will be accepted, if available, but only cash or checks can used at the door. Call (443) 366-3429 for more info.
