Rs and Ds acting as Montagues and Capulets

Those who think politicians are nothing more than phony actors can put that theory to the test this spring.

On May 7, the Shakespeare Theatre Company holds its annual Will on the Hill benefit. Yeas & Nays has learned that Reps. John Tanner, D-Tenn.; Spencer Bachus, R-Ala., and his wife, Linda; Cliff Stearns, R-Fla.; and Ed Markey, D-Mass.; and former Rep. Billy Tauzin, R-La., have all signed on to perform in this year’s play (more names will be confirmed in the coming weeks).

This year’s performance will be written by local playwright Norman Allen and will spoof “Romeo and Juliet.” And, to reflect our partisan government, the goal is to center the performance around this famous line from the tragedy: “Two households, both alike in dignity.”

Allen told Yeas & Nays, however, the current political climate is not nearly as nasty as the Montague-Capulet feud.

“I don’t think you can make a serious comparison between Republicans and Democrats and Montagues and Capulets,” he said.

After all, unlike in “Romeo,” we see no “bloodshed in the town square” in Washington.

In related news, a few days ago we reported on the impending production of “Camp Wannabeapolitiki,” the original play that members of Congress will perform April 23 at the Mandarin Oriental to benefit the Arena Stage.

Now, an Arena Stage spokeswoman tells us that Sens. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., and Jack Reed, D-R.I., will be starring, along with Reps. Howard Coble, R-N.C.; Jesse Jackson, Jr., D-Ill.; Mark Kirk, R-Ill.; Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C.; and Steven Rothman, D-N.J.; and Mystics owner Sheila Johnson Newman.

Stay tuned for announcements of more cast members for both productions.

Conconi teaches Al-Arabiya on America’s recent Anna obsession

If you think the Arab world doesn’t care about Anna Nicole Smith, you’re dead wrong. Al-Arabiya, the Arabic-language television news channel based in Dubai, rang up Qorvis Communications’ Chuck Conconi this week, hoping he could lend some insight into Smith’s crazy and convoluted saga.

Conconi, you’ll recall, edited Washingtonian magazine’s “Capital Comment” section for years and previously wrote gossip for the Washington Post. Still, he was slightly taken aback to hear from Al-Arabiya, since the network doesn’t frequently dabble into the shallow waters of celebrity gossip. Always happy to oblige, however, Conconi told Yeas & Nays he “talked about all the elements of a blond, buxom beauty” with the network, educating them on why, for better or worse, Americans care about her story. “Men love her for her more than obvious charms and women love her for making it big out of nothing,” he said.

Fred Thompson says Democrats got attitude

Former Sen. Fred Thompson, R-Tenn., thinks Democrats post-election posture may hurt them come 2008.

“They’ve got a mandate from God to do whatever they want to do,” the “Law & Order” star said sarcastically at a lunchtime forum sponsored by WMAL radio Thursday. “They’re prettier, smarter and everything else,” he said. “They’re going to allow a small group of people to set their agenda for them. And it’s not going to look as good in ’08 as it looks now.”

Speaking of ’08, when asked how he’d handicap the field, Thompson said, “I’ve analyzed the top 10 on both sides and I think nobody can win.”

But when pressed further, he said Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., has the most advantages.

ABC Political Director Mark Halperin surprised the crowd when he said he expected Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush to be the vice presidential nominees.

Hollywood’s congressman gives his picks

Like everyone else, we’re wondering who’s going to take home the hardware at the Academy Awards on Sunday. For some expert advice, we turned to Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif. Besides being chair of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, he also happens to represent Hollywood and Beverly Hills in Congress.

Waxman has “Babel” taking Best Picture honors, Martin Scorcese finally breaking through as Best Director for “The Departed,” Helen Mirren winning Best Actress in “The Queen,” Adrianna Barraza as Best Supporting Actress for “Babel,” Peter O’Toole winning Best Actor in “Venus” and Alan Arkin as Best Supporting Actor in “Little Miss Sunshine.”

Think tank

“Which politician is most likely to lose it and do a Britney-like head shave?”

“Hillary Clinton. Beneath the sex-kitten persona and junk-in-the-trunk pantsuits beats the heart of a cutter.” – Matt Labash, “Weekly Standard”

“Tom Delay could pull a Britney just by ripping off that ugly rug of his!” – Bill Press, “The Bill Press Show”

“John McCain. He’ll also have ‘All’s well with Fallwell’ inked on the small of his back.” – Martin Austermuhle, DCist.com