THE PARTY After launching the Tony-nominated Follies with Signature Theater’s artistic director, Eric Schaeffer, Adrienne Arsht put her producing chops to good use at the Embassy of Italy to chair the theater’s annual gala and present the Stephen Sondheim Award to Patti LuPone. THE PEOPLE The dance floor was buzzing with 350 people, while beloved Broadway and Washington performers Natascia Diaz, Laura Benanti, Howard McGillin and Joseph Thalken took to the stage. BEST IN SHOW LuPone wowed the crowd with a marveling rendition of Sondheim’s “Anyone Can Whistle,” accompanied by Thalken. Photography by Russell Hirshon