Viewers witness the courage, the human failings and the secret deals that went into creating our nation's capital. It brings to life the people, stories and symbolism embodied in the city's splendid memorials and monuments.
Washington, D.C. was the first national capital to be designed specifically as a seat of government, and the only capital to symbolically reflect and foster guiding values and principals. The Founding Fathers envisioned a city so beautiful and balanced that it would inspire enlightenment in those who lived and worked there.
Among the many experts featured within the production are NPR's Nina Totenberg, former Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan and Pulitzer-prize winner Joseph Ellis. Each offers personal insight into landmarks such as the Washington Monument, the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the Vietnam Memorial Wall, the White House, Mount Vernon and the Capitol Building.
Richard Dreyfuss has defined much of American culture with appealing films such asAmerican Graffiti, Jaws, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Mr. Holland's Opus which earned him an Academy Award Best Actor Nomination. A history buff, he currently stars inThe Education of Max Bickford, where he plays a history professor at a women's college.
Mr. Dreyfuss Goes to Washington educational version was produced for The History Channel® and The History Channel® Classroom. The creative team includes double Academy Award-winners and National Emmy Award winners. Susan Werbe is executive producer for The History Channel. Akram Elias, a Lebanese immigrant, wrote the original treatment and produced the project together with Richard Dreyfuss and Rachel Lyon.
Academy Award winner, Michael Kamen, who also wrote the music for Dreyfuss' Mr. Holland's Opus, wrote the original score. Serving as Line Producer is Lynn Falcon. Emmy Award winner, Chris Intagliata, is writing the script.