BROADWAY MAGAZINE- President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have shown a genuine passion for the art of live theatre. From seeing Joe Turner’s Come And Gone on Broadway for a date night, to bringing Sasha and Malia to this year’s Tony Award winning musical Memphis, a touring production of Mary Poppins, or The Addams Family…the Obamas know Broadway.
Now, reports are that an army of Broadway stars will visit the White House on Monday including Nathan Lane, Audra McDonald, Idina Menzel, Chad Kimball, Brian d’Arcy James, Tonya Pinkins, Karen Olivo and Assata Alston. PBS will broadcast the concert as “A Broadway Celebration: In Performance at the White House” on Oct. 20.
BROADWAY MAGAZINE- While President Barack Obama stayed in Washington for the historic vote on Healthcare reform, First Lady Michelle Obama, Sasha, and Milia went to Broadway to see the hit musical Memphis.
According to multiple reports from the event, there was no official announcement that the first family were in the audience. However, once they were spotted by audience members, people began to take pictures and an enthusiastic round of applause broke out.
According to reports, the applause lasted so long that the show began a bit later than normal.
Memphis is a new musical that tells the story of an inter-racial romance set in the 1950s. With an original score by David Bryan of the band Bon Jovi, critics have praised the show’s music and ability to successfully deal with complex topics in a Broadway musical.
After the show, the first family left the theatre smiling and waving. For more see this story from the Daily News.
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BROADWAY MAGAZINE –Last night, President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama attendend the Lincoln Center revival of Joe Turner’s Come and Gone by August Wilson. We have a bit of video to share. There are no pictures of President Obama, Michelle, nor the production (of course). We share this for those looking to experience a bit more of what this historic night was like from inside the theatre. Itwas an excellent performance, and an excitng night in Broadway history.
BROADWAY MAGAZINE – Very exciting to see President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle going to see a Broadway show. By seeing the revival of Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, they couldn’t have picked a better show. We’re going to be there in the audience too tonight. If you follow BroadwayMagazin on Twitter, we’ll send a message or two before the show starts…and at intermission.
BROADWAY MAGAZINE: The upcoming arrival of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at the Broadway revival of Joe Turner’s Come and Gone will no doubt inspire other leading politicians to attend shows on Broadway. Below is our list of some suggestions as to which current Broadway shows a particular politician might enjoy. Please join us and add to the list of recommendations, we’d love to have more…
BROADWAY MAGAZINE – The New York Times is reporting that President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will be attending the 8 p.m. performance of August Wilson’s masterpiece Joe Turner’s Come and Gone tonight. The powerful revival has earned multiple Tony Award nominations, including one for Best Revival. From the article by Patrick Healy:
“The president and the first lady will be making a personal visit to New York tomorrow,” said Bill Burton, a spokesman for the president, who declined to elaborate on the schedule.
The Times cites three theatre insiders confirming that President Obama will be at the historic revival. Of course, we’ve talked about Presidential Broadway history and even featured President Obama’s Broadway connections in our Holiday Issue last December (read text here). We are excited to see that he is reportedly attending this landmark production. Good choice, Mr. President.
Broadway Magazine and Broadway.tv will be there to tell you about this historic performance. For our review from Mazall Sharp and Joe Turner’s Come and Gone Video, check out the show page. Also, check out Charles Isherwood’s reflection on the play from The New York Times.
(BROADWAY MAGAZINE) Quincy Jones has called on President Barack Obama to create a Secretary Of The Arts to serve as a national and international advocate for all aspects of American Culture. According to a press release by Quincy Jones quoted in Jazz:
“While many other countries have had Ministers of Art or Culture for centuries, The United States has never created such a position. We in the arts need this and the country needs the arts–now more than ever. Please take a moment to sign this important petition and then pass it on to your friends and colleagues.”
(BROADWAY MAGAZINE) As we celebrate the inauguration of President Barack Obama, Broadway Magazine offers a Broadway perspective on the presidency. President Ronald Reagan was an actor long before he was a politician.
In fact, if you discount President Gerald Ford’s performance in the Village People movie Can’t Stop The Music, President Reagan is the only U.S. President to appear in Movie Musical.
In 1943, young Reagan starred in the Irving Berlin film “This Is The Army.” The show had been a hit on Broadway, and was one of many screen credits for Reagan.
Highlights from the film include Kate Smith singing her classic version of Irving Berlin’s “God Bless America.”
Though President Reagan never starred on Broadway, his association with Irving Berlin and the movie musical give him a unique place in Broadway history.
Oh…and we were just kidding about President Ford in “Can’t Stop The Music.”
See more of our celebration of Presidents and the stage from Broadway Magazine right here on Broadway.tv. Also, listen to songs from Irving Berlin and others on our new, free, Broadway Radio. 5 channels. Which one will you listen too?
(BROADWAY MAGAZINE) When it comes to Broadway and American Presidents, Grover Cleveland has made quite a contribution. As we celebrate the inauguration of President Barack Obama with a Broadway look at the presidency, President Grover Cleveland should not be ignored.
He may not be the most celebrated American President, but Grover Cleveland gave Broadway his child. It’s true.
Francis Grover Cleveland was the son of the 22nd and 24th President of the United States of America, and he also was a star on Broadway. Young Francis made his Broadway debut in The Night Remembers by Martha Madison in 1934.
Cleveland’s main claim to Broadway distinction is that he played Sam Craig in the original Broadway Production of Thorton Wilder’s Our Town in 1938. Though his final Broadway credit was in 1939, the President’s son never abandoned his love for the theatre.
When he died at the age of 92 in 1995, Cleveland was remembered for having led a New Hampshire theatre company for over 50 years.
(BROADWAY MAGAZINE) In celebration of the inauguration of President Barack Obama, Broadway Magazine offers a unique theatre-based look at the American presidency. President Abraham Lincoln was an avid theatre-goer.
While the tragic shooting at Ford’s Theatre will forever taint the association Lincoln has with the stage, the truth is Abraham Lincoln and his wife loved live theater. With a profound appreciation and understanding for the work of William Shaksepare in particular.
So,what was Abe Lincoln’s favorite play?
According the the Library of Congress, Lincoln’s favorite play was Macbeth by William Shakespeare.
In fact, Lincoln wrote about the play in a 1963 letter to Shakespearean actor James Henry Hackett:
“I think nothing equals Macbeth. It is wonderful.”
While we share Lincoln’s admiration for Macbeth, we also must note that he never saw Jersey Boys, so that may be why he did not select that show as his favorite.
BROADWAY MAGAZINE- President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have shown a genuine passion for the art of live theatre. From seeing Joe Turner’s Come And
BROADWAY MAGAZINE- While President Barack Obama stayed in Washington for the historic vote on Healthcare reform, First Lady Michelle Obama, Sasha, and Milia went to Broadway to see the hit musical Memphis.
BROADWAY MAGAZINE: The upcoming arrival of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at the Broadway revival of Joe Turner’s Come and Gone will no doubt inspire other leading politicians to attend shows on Broadway. Below is our list of some suggestions as to which current Broadway shows a particular politician might enjoy. Please join us and add to the list of recommendations, we’d love to have more…
BROADWAY MAGAZINE – The New York Times is reporting that President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama will be attending the 8 p.m. performance of August Wilson’s masterpiece Joe Turner’s Come and Gone tonight. The powerful revival has earned multiple Tony Award nominations, including one for Best Revival. From the article by 
(BROADWAY MAGAZINE) In celebration of the inauguration of President Barack Obama, Broadway Magazine offers a unique theatre-based look at the American presidency. President Abraham Lincoln was an avid theatre-goer.
