Dayton’s Martin Sheen, Allison Janney and Rob Lowe reunite for special episode of ‘The West Wing’

The cast of “The West Wing” — including Dayton’s own Martin Sheen, Allison Janney and Rob Lowe — will reunite for the first time in 17 years for a theatrical presentation of an episode of the political drama.

“A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote” will stream on HBO Max this fall with the goal of boosting voter turnout, according to national entertainment publications including Entertainment Weekly and Variety. A date to air has not been determined.

Actors Dulé Hill, Janel Moloney, Richard Schiff and Bradley Whitford will join the Daytonians for a theatrical staging of “Hartsfield’s Landing,” an episode from the show’s third season.

“The West Wing” was a political drama set in the White House that aired for seven seasons from 1999-2006. All seven seasons are available for streaming right now on Netflix.

Aaron Sorkin, who created the series, will write original material for the event, according to Variety, and it will be shot in October at the Orpheum Theater in Los Angeles.

The show is meant to raise awareness for When We All Vote, a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization co-chaired by Michelle Obama, Tom Hanks, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monae, Chris Paul, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. In addition to the participation of the original series cast members, the special also will feature guest appearances, including a special message from When We All Vote co-chair Michelle Obama, among others. Additional cast members and special guests from the worlds of public service and the arts will be announced in the coming weeks.

The mission of the organization is to “increase participation in every election and close the race and age voting gap by changing the culture around voting, harnessing grassroots energy, and through strategic partnerships to reach every American,” according to its website.

The West Wing cast will reunite for A West Wing Special to Benefit When We All Vote. NBC PHOTO

Credit: NBC

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Credit: NBC


ABOUT THE WEST WING

“The West Wing” is a one-hour drama created by Aaron Sorkin that aired on NBC from Sept. 22, 1999, to May 14, 2006. It follows the fictional Democratic President Josiah “Jed” Bartlet (played by Martin Sheen) and his senior West Wing staff behind-the-scenes during political and personal issues through two terms of office. The series won 26 Emmy Awards and three Golden Globes.

How to watch: All seven seasons currently streaming on Netflix

This poster was used to promote the NBC television drama <i>The West Wing</i>. The poster features a large photograph of Martin Sheen as President Josiah “Jed” Bartlet surrounded by the main cast, including, from the top left and continuing counter-clockwise, C.J. Cregg (Allison Janney), Sam Seaborn (Rob Lowe), Toby Ziegler (Richard Schiff), Leo McGarry (John Spencer), Josh Lyman (Bradley Whitford), Charlie Young (Dulé Hill), and Donna Moss (Janel Moloney). Source: National Museum of American History

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About “Hartsfield’s Landing” Episode - Season Three, Episode 15

Original Air Date: Feb. 27, 2002

Synopsis: President Bartlet (Martin Sheen) engages both Sam (Rob Lowe) and Toby (Richard Schiff) in intricate chess matches that mirror the wily game of brinksmanship that Bartlet is playing with the Chinese, who are conducting war games in the Taiwan Strait. The Chinese threaten real war if Taiwan begins test firing its new U.S.-made Patriot defense missiles. Meanwhile, Josh (Bradley Whitford) is nervous about the 42 votes in a remote New Hampshire town’s election, which are counted immediately and always predict the winner of that state’s primary. Mischievous C.J. (Allison Janney) tries to upset Charlie (Dulé Hill) by hiding his copy of the president’s top-secret daily schedule — prompting a spate of playful tricks.

Source: Warner Media

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