Five years ago, U.S. Rep. Tim Murphy came up with a novel idea that seems to have caught fire. As a fund-raiser for the Washington Community Arts and Culture Center's free programming for children, the Upper St. Clair Republican proposed putting local political, business and civic leaders in front of an audience and letting them perform.

The concept will get another airing at 7 p.m. Saturday when celebrity/performers take to the stage at the George Washington Hotel in Washington.

This song and dance idea, aptly called Celebrity Performing Arts Night, started out the first year with between 45 and 50 attendees who filed into the limited confines of the Wash Arts Center in Washington.

"The second year, we packed the Wash Arts space with people, so we subsequently moved to an even larger venue in year three -- the ballroom at the George Washington Hotel," said Sandee Umbach, Wash Arts executive director and founder. "By year four, it was standing room only."

Initially, the concept was limited to having the performers take the stage, one after another, to strut their stuff. But over time, the concept has evolved to include a themed format. One year, organizers came up with a Wizard of Washington motif that revamped a classic Judy Garland tune and renamed it "Somewhere Over the Wal-Mart," an allusion to the commercial development in and around Trinity Place.

Year three played on the consolidation of the 15301 ZIP code proposal, and last year the audience was treated to a local-flavored parody of Garrison Keillor's "Prairie Home Companion."

"For Saturday's event, we've devised a skit about the different projects that have applied for funding generated by casino revenue," said Ms. Umbach. "Titled 'Casino Capers,' the skit is based on 'American Idol' in which a panel of judges determines who gets funding based on how well they perform."

County Commissioner Bracken Burns will portray Simon Cowell, the harsh judge on the "American Idol" panel, and the entire evening will include 10 solo or duet acts, with skits and instrumental interludes in between.

The show will be hosted by Yugo Ikach, music director of the Washington Symphony Orchestra, and will open with a parade of the Leading Ladies of Washington Kick Line that will include Mary Jean Maggi, wife of County Commissioner Larry Maggi.

"We're aiming for a splashy, Las Vegas-style show done in a cabaret format where the audience will sit at round tables and chairs," said Mrs. Umbach. "We want it to be all about our business and political leaders having fun and going out on a limb to perform."

One of the acts will pair County Commissioner Diana Irey with newly elected District Attorney Steve Toprani and Assistant District Attorney Traci McDonald doing a political satire set to music with a bit of choreography thrown into the mix.

"While I don't want to give anything away, I can say that Diana is being very creative in coming up with the routine, which seems to really bring out her personality," said Mr. Toprani. "We've already started rehearsal, and it looks like it's going to be a lot of fun."

Lucas and Renee Piatt will join the list of celebrity performers, along with Lee Young, director of the Penn State Cooperative Extension, Washington County, and the Kyle Simpson Trio. (Mr. Simpson is a jazz professor at Washington & Jefferson College).

The evening will include a set of comic commercials for the event sponsors created by a team of writers that include Nathan Voytek, of the county Redevelopment Authority, Lee Young, Jonathan Miles, longtime Wash Arts board member, and Bob Griffin, community leader.

Even the audience will get into the act by being invited to come up with a funding project of their own, table by table. Those with the best idea will win a prize.

"The most difficult aspect of organizing the event is getting rehearsal time because all the celebrities are so busy" said Mrs. Umbach. "We did begin rehearsing the skit several weeks ago, and some of the solo and duet performers have been getting their act together at home. Despite the obstacles, each year we've managed to put on a really entertaining show."

"Casino Caper," is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday at the George Washington Hotel ballroom, 60 S. Main St., Washington. During intermission, complimentary bistro food and cafe fare will be served and a cash bar will be available. Tickets are $50. Phone 724-222-1475.