Gov. Tim Kaine plays a mean harmonica during the 16th Annual Arena Stage Benefit. – Courtesy Scott Suchman
It was an all-star cast on hand Monday night for the Arena Stage’s Benefit for Community Engagement, held at the Crystal City Marriott.
Recommended Stories
The play? An original, Cinderellalike comedy called “Play On!” by Baltimore-based playwright James Magruder.
The actors? Everyone from Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., to Sheila Johnson to Tim Gunn to Ted Leonsis.
The highlights? Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine adding some harmonica to a song. D.C. Councilman Tommy Wells dancing up a storm on stage and Carol Schwartz tap dancing. John Thompson III, Ben Olsen, Charles Mann and Jim Vance leading a “one-minute drill” on the goings-on at “Play On’s” fictional “Scranton Summer Olympics” (Vance played “Tony Cornhusker” and Thompson played, well, Vance).
Tim Gunn advising the Arena Stage students in the play to “make it work” and reminding them of the importance of product placement. “Every great designer has to keep their eye on the sponsorship gravy train,” Gunn said.
Arch Campbell played “Art S. Longis,” Washington’s oldest surviving policy wonk, who claimed he went to grade school with Sen. John McCain in the late 19th century.
