Lee Daniels' The Butler

Don’t miss your one-night-only chance to see the exclusive Midwest screening of the buzzed-about new drama Lee Daniels' The Butler along with special guest Wil Haygood (the prominent journalist and Columbus native whose 2008 Washington Post article inspired the film). Haygood (who is also an associate producer of the film) will be joined by Columbus Mayor Michael B. Coleman, Wexner Center Director Sherri Geldin, and Wexner Center Foundation Trustees for this special evening.

Lee Daniels' The Butler tells the story of Cecil Gaines, a White House butler who served eight American presidents over three decades. The film traces the dramatic changes that swept American society during this time, from the civil rights movement to Vietnam and beyond, and how those changes affected this man’s life and family. The film’s all-star cast features Forest Whitaker as the butler, Oprah Winfrey as his wife, Robin Williams as Dwight D. Eisenhower, John Cusack as Richard Nixon, Alan Rickman as Ronald Reagan, James Marsden as John F. Kennedy, and Liev Schreiber as Lyndon B. Johnson. The film was directed by Academy Award–nominee Lee Daniels (Precious).

After the film, you’ll have the opportunity to mingle with Haygood at a private reception at Smith & Wollensky and savor cocktails and a delicious hors d'oeuvres supper. Your ticket includes admission to both the screening and the reception.

Proceeds from this event will go toward the presentation of Blues for Smoke, an exhibition on view at the Wexner Center September 21–December 29, 2013.