OGDEN — A middle initial can sometimes make all the difference.

It certainly would have saved DaVinci Academy, a charter school in Ogden, some embarrassment had they known that it was Jon A. Stewart from Chicago they had booked for their annual gala instead of comedian Jon Stewart, this year's Academy Awards host and star of the "The Daily Show."

Last week it was big news, on the radio and in the papers, that the widely known comedian would be visiting the academy next week. DaVinci had sent out 500 invitations to local businesses and planned for approximately 900 people.

School leaders said that earlier in the year they had sent out invitations to a number of celebrities, speakers and authors hoping to land a celebrity or quasi-celebrity guest at the school's annual benefit dinner.

Stewart had responded and moreover had offered to come pro bono.

Officials said through several months of discussion there was no indication that they had not booked the real deal.

But last week the Standard Examiner made calls to Jon Stewart's publicist in Beverly Hills.

It turned out that the only place Stewart was scheduled to be on the night of the gala was on "The Daily Show."

When DaVinci leaders were informed of that fact Friday, they looked deeper into the matter and sure enough — oops.

They had actually scheduled Jon Alan Stewart, a former motivational speaker, businessman and part-time professional wrestler from Chicago.

School officials are calling it an "unfortunate chain of misunderstandings." And even through months of discussion they had no indication that he was not Jon Stewart of "The Daily Show."

"It's been a whirlwind . . . but the community has really rallied around with support," said Debbie Legge, president of the school's board of directors. "It's not about celebrities. It's about kids and helping them get a good education."

After the school canceled Jon A. Stewart this week, local performing groups from Weber State University and the Terrace Playhouse responded with offers to be replacement acts at the event, and DaVinci welcomed them with open arms.

Nonetheless, school leaders said they take full responsibility and are offering refunds to those who had purchased tickets expecting to see the comedian.

Some have already received refunds.

Debbie Legge, president of the DaVinci Academy board of directors, said she hopes the community will still opt to support the school and attend the event. However, school officials planned to send notices to patrons today about the change.

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E-mail: terickson@desnews.com