The First Couple Will Take In A Broadway Show Tomorrow

[HopeOverFear]

http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/05/29/first-couple-to-hit-broadway-this-weekend/

For all of the people sprawled out] on those lawn chairs along shuttered Broadway in Times Square, take note: A certain famous family plans to be awfully close by on Saturday evening.

President Obama and his wife, Michelle, plan to visit New York City on Saturday and take in a Broadway show, the August Wilson play “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” at the Belasco Theater on West 44th Street, according to three theater executives who have been informed of the First Family’s plans.

The theater executives spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the president’s itinerary, and cautioned that the trip was subject to change.

“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 Obamas plan to attend the 8 p.m. performance of “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,” a critically acclaimed production that has been nominated for six Tony Awards, including best revival of a play.

Set in a Pittsburgh boarding house in 1911, “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” centers on a group of African-Americans searching for their place in the world and coming to grips with the legacy of slavery. Lincoln Center Theater produced the play, which first ran on Broadway in 1988; this production was directed by Bartlett Sher, who has been nominated for a Tony for his work.

The Tonys will be handed out next Sunday night. “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” is in a tough contest for best play revival against three other oft-praised Broadway productions: “Mary Stuart,” “The Norman Conquests,” and “Waiting for Godot.”

The theater executives had no additional details on Friday about what else the Obamas might do in New York, nor did they have any advance word about whether car or pedestrian access to additional parts of Times Square might be limited due to the Obamas’ visit.

[Captain Hilts]

1. I'm surprised it's being announced ahead of time. nt

[HopeOverFear]

2. Yeah for real there's gonna be a huge throng outside the theater come tomorrow nite

[Captain Hilts]

4. Your greatest protection is spontanaeity, however it's spelled. nt

[NNadir]

3. A great President going to a theater with his wife on an announced visit to a theater...

...scares me frankly.

I love the President's "common man" touch, but I worry a lot about him. Some people are nuts and full of hatred.

I'm kind of glad they're not showing "Our American Cousin."

I hope the President is careful. I worry about him a lot.

[Captain Hilts]

5. Ain't that the truth.

Are you as uncomfortable as I am with all the JFK comparisons?

Someone here had a portrait of JFK made out to be Obama. It creeped me out, but then again, I'm old enough to remember JFK, and Bobby and MLK being offed.

[elleng]

6. 'The theater executives

spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the president’s itinerary, and cautioned that the trip was subject to change,' and The theater executives should be shot for this, imo. Damn idiots! Just couldn't wait to promote their show. :thumbsdown:

[pnwmom]

7. I hope the President cancels his plans and teaches those leakers a lesson.

How incredibly stupid.

[elleng]

9. Maybe he will.

They'll be disappointed, the couple, that is, but I can't get over the stupidity! AND foolishness; think of security!

[Adelante]

16. I hope so, too

The Obamas should turn up at a completely different venue and deprive these irresponsible idiots of the publicity.

[high density]

17. I suspect the Secret Service might insist for changes

Announcing a performance that the president is going to be at? These people must be idiots.

[Clio the Leo]

18. Yeah, teach them a lesson by sitting in the house with Michelle for yet another night..

... please .... a man who lives in fear doesn't live at all.

[pnwmom]

19. He doesn't have to sit in the White House. He should be able to attend a performance

unannounced -- as this one was SUPPOSED to be.

[tomreedtoon]

8. Could be worse; could be Stephen Sondheim's "Assassins."

That's a sobering play. I've never seen it, but I have both soundtrack albums and the book of the play.

[elleng]

10. I guess it could;

they'd have to listen to his MUSIC!

[gauguin57]

20. You MUST see that show! It's one of my faves.

I have the soundtrack and book, too ... and listened to it for years before I saw it. When a community theater in my area finally did it, I went to see it twice during the run. REALLY interesting show (but it's not for the faint of heart). When Squeaky Fromme and John Hinckley are singing a sweet ballad about their beloveds (Charlie and Jodie), you think you've wandered into la-la-land!

[Iwillnevergiveup]

11. Mixed feelings

We got so used to Bush travelling only to Camp David or the "ranch" in Crawford for R&R. And, of course, Darth was never to be seen. They were inept, out of touch figureheads.

The Obamas will be rushed in and out of the theater and surrounded by Secret Service. The same will apply inside - the place will be crawling with plain clothes. For sure I want the Obamas to be very, very safe, but they've made it clear they like to get out now and then. It's good for the country to see them out and about, too. So, I wish them safety and one helluva grand time in the Big Apple in that order.

[NYC Liberal]

12. People shouldn't be given anonymity for stuff like that.

Whistleblowers, sure. But it's being used now to leak things that legitimately, should not be leaked.

[Honeycombe8]

13. He's going to the THEATER?? Oh, dear. No balconies, I hope. And good security. nt

[grasswire]

14. maybe it wasn't true at all -- maybe just a publicity stunt...

..by the theater!

[Beacool]

15. Thanks, I'll make sure to avoid midtown tomorrow night.

The last time the Chinese Premier came to town I was stuck for almost an hour because they closed the Lincoln Tunnel. They closed the tunnel for a full 45 minutes AFTER he had already gone through it.

I've been delayed more than a few times downtown every time Bush came to the city and used the heliport on the East river near the Seaport.

:(

[asteroid2003QQ47]

22. Wise move. The groupies will be out in full force! n/t

[Beacool]

23. It's a pain any time a president or world leader comes to town.

You get stuck no matter where you go. We played it smart and stayed on the Jersey side of the Hudson. We went to a double feature at a theater that is non for profit and screens old movies. It's a gem from 1929 and they use the money to renovate it. Tonight they screened "The Uninvited" and "Rebecca". We had a ball and avoided the traffic nightmare that Manhattan must have been.

:D

[gauguin57]

21. Prince Harry has been in town, too ... visiting Ground Zero, etc.

Wonder whether he'll still be in town tonight.


(here's the note he put on the fence at Ground Zero ... don't you love the little H with the crown above it?)