President Obama, First Lady Attend Denzel Washington Broadway Play

[monmouth3]

"A Raisin in the Sun," from playwright Lorraine Hansberry, is the first Broadway show the couple has attended together since 2009.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama enjoyed a romantic evening Friday -- with an Oscar winner.


Receiving a huge round of applause as they entered the Ethel Barrymore Theatre, the first couple took in Denzel Washington's performance in the Broadway revival of A Raisin in the Sun, which has been playing to packed houses since it began previews on March 8. They were joined by administration advisor Valerie Jarrett and former NFL player Ahmad Rashad.

The play, written by Lorraine Hansberry, takes place in Chicago sometime between World War II and 1960; it centers on the Youngers, a low-income African-American family living in a cramped South Side apartment. When the family's widowed matriarch, Lena (LaTanya Richardson Jackson), receives a $10,000 check from her husband's life insurance policy, members of the household have different ideas about how to spend it.

Lena wants to make a down payment on a modest suburban house in a white neighborhood, while her restless son Walter Lee (Washington) has dreams of moving up in the world by buying a liquor store. Meanwhile, his college-student sister Beneatha (Anika Noni Rose) plans to attend medical school. The production also stars British actress Sophie Okonedo, making her Broadway debut as Walter Lee's wife, Ruth.

The First Lady has seen a number of shows with daughters Sasha and Malia since the President took office. But this marks only the second visit for the Obamas as a couple to a Broadway show, following the 2009 revival of August Wilson’s play Joe Turner’s Come and Gone, a production that also featured Richardson Jackson.


Much more with photos at: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/president-obama-first-lady-attend-695570

[Inkfreak]

1. DW has to be one of our greatest actors of all time, IMO.

I just watched Flight a few weeks ago. I know it's a great movie when I lay in bed at night thinking about it. Such a powerful performance. I don't like plays, really. The 2 I ever liked were Sweeny Todd & A Raisin in the Sun. So, if I had the chance, I'd go in a heartbeat.

[monmouth3]

2. I remember back in the day before the President had his first inauguration and they were

rehearsing the show to be performed later on. Denzel was to the side of the stage just taking it all in. He didn't miss a trick and the camera guy was occupied with watching Denzel and I think Sean Penn. Those were great days, so full of anticipation.. DW is a superb actor and I'm sure will play Obama down the road when a serious film is to be made.

[Inkfreak]

3. "Please proceed, Governor."

Imagine Denzel saying that! LOL!!

[monmouth3]

4. OMG, would'nt that be awesome? He could put a lot of gravitas to it also..n/t