Christmas in June

Ford’s Theatre hosted its 27th annual gala on Sunday night, which had many media outlets buzzing—mainly because of the event’s Christmas theme, to which 575 guests (including President Bush and the first lady) adhered, wearing festive gowns and tuxedos. CBS typically airs the gala on July 4 but decided to air it in December this year in order to attract a larger audience. The audience and several bold-named performers, Wynonna Judd and Olivia Newton-John among them, played along, eschewing the gala's standard patriotic theme.

The Associated Press reported that Judd opened the show with "Winter Wonderland" on a Christmas-themed stage with a sleigh, decorated trees, and white lights. The singer went on to ham it up with the president, asking him, "Do you know what you’re planning on getting your beautiful wife? Whatever she wants, right?"

"Shenanigans" columnist Anne Schroeder said yesterday that the evening’s festivities kicked off with a reception at the White House, followed by a 90-minute gala that began at 7 p.m., and then a Design Cuisine-catered dinner at the National Building Museum. The theater’s special events development associate director, Jennifer Kiefer, planned the evening’s festivities.

It was a big night out for the president, who is known to dine in most nights, but considering his wife is the gala’s honorary chair, he was present. He may not have enjoyed the joke that "Reliable Source" columnists Amy Argetsinger and Roxanne Roberts reported in Tuesday's column, though: Comedian Christopher Titus said his manager asked him, "'How would you like to perform in front of the most powerful man and woman in the world?' And I said, 'Wow, Bono and Oprah?'"