The gala performance benefits the Shakespeare Theatre Company, which will utilize the Harman Center along with other Washington, DC, arts companies. The Harman Center for the Arts will encompass the existing Lansburgh Theatre and the newly constructed Sidney Harman Hall.

The talent assembled for the gala includes ballet dancers Nina Ananiashvili and Julio Bocca, the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Tony Award-winning actress Patti LuPone, violinist Anne-Sophie Mutter accompanied by Ayami Ikeba, The Washington Ballet, Washington Performing Arts Society's Men and Women of the Gospel Mass Choir; as well as actors from the Shakespeare Theatre Company, including Stacy Keach, Kelly McGillis, Harry Hamlin, Avery Brooks and Patrick Page. Ethan McSweeney directs the production with design by Helen Hayes Award winner Robert Perdziola.

Following the evening's entertainment, the Shakespeare Theatre Company will host a dinner-dance at the National Building Museum, chaired by Ann Nitze with Vice Chairs Calvin and Jane Cafritz, William Couper, Samia and Huda Farouki, Kristin and Kingdon Gould, Michael R. Klein and Joan I. Fabry, Arlene and Robert Kogod, The Honorable Selwa Roosevelt and William Talbert.

The gala's Honorary Patrons are President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush. The gala's Honorary Chairs are Jane and Sidney Harman, Honorable Adrian M. Fenty and Michelle Cross Fenty, Anthony Williams and Diane Simmons Williams, Debra and John Boehner, Susie and Norm Dicks, Steny H. Hoyer and Victoria and Ted Kennedy. The gala will be in the presence of HRH The Duchess of Gloucester.

The new facilities at the Harman Center for the Arts will allow for expanded educational programming within the downtown Washington, DC, arts venue. The Shakespeare Company currently presents The Taming of the Shrew through Nov. 18 at the Lansburgh Theatre, located at 450 7th Street NW, in Washington, D.C.

Further information is available by visiting www.shakespearetheatre.org