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TUESDAY

One fine day after the Kennedy Center first opened, I found myself backstage—my all-access pass courtesy of being the delivery guy for Drums Unlimited, which rented equipment to the KenCen. Being a laggardly kid, I took my time heading back to the shop. As I searched for the vending machine, I spotted another long-haired guy. But his hair was carefully coiffed, and he was wearing platform shoes and carrying a leather handbag. I had never seen a woman in platforms, much less a man with a purse. That fellow was, in fact, Robert Klein. As he passed, I said, perceptively, “Hey, Robert Klein!” He gave me a rather haughty once-over and replied without a smile, “Drums Unlimited.” (I was wearing the company overalls.) Funny guy. The next day, I told all my high-school pals, but my celebrity moment was of no consequence. Klein had been on the Tonight Show only a couple of times, and they didn’t know him. And they sure didn’t understand my new purse. The fashion-forward Klein performs at 8:30 p.m. (see City List for other dates) at the Improv, 1140 Connecticut Ave. NW. $20. (202) 296-7008. (Dave Nuttycombe)