Obamas find a way to do Broadway at home, hosting star-studded PBS taping [Updated]

During the administration of President George W. Bush, news that Tony was to be heavily represented at a fete in the East Room of the White House would have suggested a British theme to the evening, with emissaries of then-Prime Minister Blair in attendance.

Times have changed. On Monday, the dignitaries hosted by President and Mrs. Obama will bring their regards from Broadway, not 10 Downing Street, while sharing talents that collectively have won them 11 Tony Awards.

The public is invited to watch -- eventually -- on "A Broadway Celebration," which will be taped for broadcast Oct. 20 as an installment in the PBS series, "In Performance at the White House."

The Tony-winning performers are actor-singers Nathan Lane (two Tonys), Audra McDonald (four Tonys), Idina Menzel, Tonya Pinkins and Karen Olivo (one each, for "Wicked," "Jelly's Last Jam" and "West Side Story," respectively), and pianist Marvin Hamlisch, a Tony winner for his score to "A Chorus Line." Working behind the scenes is Jerry Mitchell, Tony-winning choreographer (for the 2004 revival of "La Cage aux Folles"), who will guide 20 Washington, D.C., dance students in a segment from "Hairspray," another show he choreographed.

Also performing are Brian d'Arcy James ("Shrek: The Musical"), Chad Kimball ("Memphis") and Assata Alston, a 12-year-old from Queens, N.Y., who recently debuted at Jazz at Lincoln Center.

[Update: The White House announced Friday that Elaine Stritch and "Hairspray" veterans Danielle Arci and Constantine Rousouli have been added to the show; Stritch is a Tony winner (for her one-woman show, "Elaine Stritch at Liberty"), bringing the ensemble's collective career Tony haul to 12.]

Presumably, critics who slammed the president and first lady last year for wasting taxpayer money when they flew to New York for dinner and a Broadway show (August Wilson's drama "Joe Turner's Come and Gone") won't complain about Broadway coming to them. Obama-watchers can catch the president's show-opening remarks live on Monday at 4 p.m. Pacific on the Internet at www.whitehouse.gov, but the public will have to wait until October for the performances.

As for those who got their hopes up when we mentioned a British theme in the East Room, PBS will oblige July 28 with the next "In Performance at the White House" broadcast, starring Paul McCartney with guests Stevie Wonder, Elvis Costello, Jonas Brothers, Herbie Hancock, Corinne Bailey Rae, Dave Grohl, Faith Hill, Emmylou Harris, Lang Lang and Jack White. The show, celebrating Sir Paul's receiving this year's Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song, was taped in the East Room on June 2.

-- Mike Boehm

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Photos: Nathan Lane in "The Producers"; the Obamas, dressed for a Broadway night out, walk on the White House lawn in 2009 en route to the presidential helicopter for first leg of their controversial trip to New York. Credits: Tina Fineberg / AP (Lane); Aude Guerrucci / Bloomberg News (Obamas).

Comments

[Disgusted]

Back from vacation, well rested...time for another party. I'm sure the unemployed, disaster stricken Americans appreciate Barry O having a grand time at their expense. What a loser for a president.

[Keno G]

"Nero" Obama! Partying, and vacationing, like its 1999! While the country fails.

[jcp370]

"Presumably, critics who slammed the president and first lady last year for wasting taxpayer money when they flew to New York for dinner and a Broadway show (August Wilson's drama "Joe Turner's Come and Gone") won't complain about Broadway coming to them."

Of course, we would NEVER presume to complain about Dear Leader. Besides, he will probably have worked a whole day since his vacation when Broadway is brought to him. And how much can it cost? Besides, cost is no object. I say why not bring Hollywood to the Obamas too? And Nashville and Disney World too. At least someone in this country ought to be able to enjoy themselves.

[Ed Schmierer]

The Ameican people are not spending money, so Hussein will spend it for them.

[Jr.]

It's been clear for most conservatives that these people came in power to put this country in such bad shape. Spending,passing laws that restict personal responsibilities,signing executive orders to help the unions,putting people in place to continue their agenda for years.He was made to do these things. It makes it hard to change things afterwards. He/they know he wont be re-elected. The dems will nominate Hillary in 2012 so they can continue this mess. She will come across as being more moderate to win.

[Schratboy]

Megalomania and the presidency, starring Barry Hussein Obama. Only showing for one term!

[jerseyjeff]

They said for 8 years Bush was out of touch, didn’t care about the people and destroyed our country, well in less than 2 years in office Obama is making Bush look like the 2nd coming of Regan or Roosevelt. The gulf is turning into a tar pit, unemployment stagnate at almost 10%, a national debt so high our great, great , great grandchildren will be paying it off, terrorism still a major threat and all this guy does is play golf, go on vacations, and host parties. Then again when you have a news media bought and paid for by the DNC what do you expect. Nero truly is playing the fiddle while Rome burns.

[Kevin]

And tomorrow...a round or two of golf.

[Justice]

Remember November.

[Barry Bin Inhalin]

The empty suit is at it again. The middle class will be so happy with Barry that the great Tony winners are all gathered in the WH. The unwashed, unemployed gathered around the $125/month cable-fed flat screen gawking at greatness...at least they get 'free' healthcare. BFD.

I just wish I could make as much as this was all costing for my annual stipend. Priceless.

[volt007]

Yeah, I want to vote president " Nero " out of office too. What I'm concerned about is Obama's Election Rigging/Fraud efforts. How many fake votes will ACORN come out with? What about the automatic vote registration of all welfare recipients? What is the SIEU up to, and how many other union thugs will be there in November to intimidate and rig the vote? How many illegal aliens will the Democrat's count as votes?

[Odumba the Magnificent]

It's the most Un-American Presidency that the US has ever had. George Washington set the tone by turning down a crown. George W Bush continued that tone with modesty in a time that the nation was fighting a war.
No longer. It's Marie Antoinette time folks. It's time to follow Barry's dad's example and neglect one's responsibilities.
Forget a government for the people, by the people. The current one is for the king and his minions, paid for by the people. Spread the wealth. Fly the king's dog to Maine on a separate plane.

[Suzette]

I agree, it looks bad. As much as I dislike the current president, I don't believe these parties are his idea. It must go back to his wife,
who has expensive tastes (nothing wrong with that when you're in private life), and is going to take advantage of her time in the WH for all it's worth.

As for him, I ask that he give back the keys to Air Force One,
stay home and work in the office. The amount of money saved would be breathtaking.

[Layla]

This man is living like a king, while the rest of us pay for it.

[antilib21]

We've got the fiddler, so I wonder when the toga party starts???

[Mike]

enough with these people.... all of them get the hell out America is done with them. Who the hell does this president think he is....... what a freaking disaster. Oh yeah for the first time in my adult life I am totally ashamed of my Goverment.

[jgreene]

The Obama Marxist White House is a running Broadway Show called "Springtime For Karl & Engels". It is being subsidized by the peasant taxpayers and the show is not drawing big crowds.

[SHREDDER]

Nero fiddles while we eat cake!

[Tom]

What happened to Oblame-a's over-stated credo:

"I WILL NOT REST..."

"...at theatre, concerts, golf games, dinners, etc.,..."

We are all created equal, I guess Obama is more equal than the rest of us unemployed, unwashed masses. Let them eat cake, indeed.

[BSADad]

Are we not the stupid ones? HE was voted in by the majority, HIS administration keeps passing mandates the majority disapproves of, the democratic party keeps passing legislation that they don't read and won't disclose whats in it till it's passed, the democratic majority keeps "spending"money that doesn't get spent till their losing candidate needs money spent in their district or state to buy votes, HE blames anyone and everyone else for anything bad that happens, HE automatically sides with black activists, this list could go on and on.....

But the true ignorant people are those who refuse to see the direction HE is taking the country.
The true ignorant people are those who blindly follow this so called messiah without questioning his credentials, even those who followed true messiah's Buddah, Allah, Jesus questioned their credibility but, they at least were able to prove their true worth.

Let's all hope that we don't blindly follow this so called messiah without question until it's too late.....
Question with Boldness.
Read, Learn and Ask of our elected representation what are you doing before they vote into law.
Force the Main Stream Media to cover the entire story and stop being a lapdog of this Administration.
Discuss with intelligence with those who disagree....Discussion is not just blaming or disparaging those with whom you disagree with.

Don't you wonder what it felt like just before any of the major changes of Governments happened....I imagine to get the people to follow they made promises...promises of prosperity, of fairness to all.....Only some followed through, some didn't.

It's up to US the People to make the difference, the difference between tyranny and democracy before it's to late and WE THE PEOPLE have lost all power and rights to make the change.