Politicians and Pundits Perform at Arena Stage

Several prominent Senators, Members of the House, and a diverse mix of print and television media personalities took the stage last night at the Arena Stage's 14^th Annual Benefit production "The Pundit Whodunit: The Case of the Political Puzzle", a crime-solving mystery comedy by DC playwright and director Harry M. Bagdasian.

Honored with the American Voice Award for supporting American art and culture was Senator Daniel Inouye, Mayor Anthony Williams received a tribute for his work in the D.C. arts community, and Playwright August Wilson was posthumously honored with the first American Artist Award.

Proceeds from the event supports Arena Stage's education programs for young people in the greater Washington area. Some 20,000 students a year benefit from the program. Programs include student performance packages, playwriting contest, in-school artist visits, after-school drama programs, teacher workshops, and a multi-arts summer day camp,

The show concerned the mysterious disappearance of Washington pundits during an election year. Heaven forbid. The evening began with a wonderful rendition of "Mystery Tonight" (music from Sondheim's "Comedy Tonight") featuring J. Fred Shiffman, Lawrence Redmond, and the wonderful E. Faye Butler (recently seen in the Center Stage production of "Once on This Island" and currently in a production of "Thoroughly Modern Millie" in Chicago). Butler stole the show. She was terrific in her portrayal of an undercover French maid singing "I'm a WOMAN...W...O...M...A...N".

What a delight to see the Fox News Network's "Beltway Boys" Fred Barnes and Mort Kondracke performing. Nina Totenberg from NPR did a special "Morning Edition" on "Monday night". She asked her listeners to call in if they missed the Washington pundits. NO ONE CALLED except one ordering a pizza!

A highlight concerned an appearance of the star of ABC News' "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" and former White House press secretary and communications director, George Stephanopoulos. Before he came out for his skit on the set of ABC news, an intern put a yellow book on his seat. One of the funniest bits of the evening. Continuing in this vein, when Stephanopoulos appeared at the end (after he allegedly had been abducted), before his wife, Alexandra Wentworth, gave him a big hug, she quickly through off her high heels. No question he was a good sport about being vertically challenged.

There were some very funny lines. There was a report that all the major news networks were being bought by Dubai Ports! One politician stated, "You wouldn't want me to out an agent would you? Who do you think I am, Bob Novak?" There were quite a few Dick Cheney jokes as well.

The finale had the entire cast of politicians, pundits and three students, Jonathan Alexander, Roderic David, and Tram Ngo singing Sondheim's "Side by Side by Side".

The packed Kreeger Theater enjoyed this fun and entertaining evening for a good cause.