Photo credit: Brendan Kownacki
Actresses Allison Janney, Melissa Fitzgerald and Janel Moloney reprised their roles from the hit TV show “The West Wing” Sunday night for a benefit at Washington’s Warner Theatre where all ticket proceeds went directly to benefit Justice for Vets.
“What is this Justice for Vets memo doing in the briefing pile?” barked Janney in character, reprising her role as the White House Press Secretary.
Allison Janney, Melissa Fitzgerald, Janel Moloney
The event began with a “Walk-and-Talk” segment, which became a signature of the show and its fast-paced dialogue. Janney, who played White House Press Secretary C.J. Cregg, helped to bring the issue to the metaphorical table for the audience while still providing some levity.
“I was hoping you’d take it to the president,” replied Melissa Fitzgerald in character as press aide Carol Fitzpatrick.
“Which one? Bartlett? Santos? Fitz? Underwood? ”
“The one who has the most power,”
“Okay, I’ll put in a call to Olivia Pope,” said Janney, enticing many laughs from the audience as she referenced ABC’s hit DC drama, Scandal.
The duo, joined as well by Janel Moloney who played Donna Moss, spoke about the importance of getting treatment for veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan who have challenges after their return home. The event raised more than $200,000 for Justice for Vets, a nonprofit of which Fitzgerald is now Senior Director.
The charity advocates for the creation of Veterans Treatment Courts, which provide for rehabilitation of veterans in the criminal justice system suffering from substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder. The group says that one in five returning veterans suffers from mental health disorders or cognitive impairment.
West Wing Cast Reunites with Walk-and-Talk for Justice For Vets:
