President Barack Obama and first Lady Michelle Obama enjoyed a special date night on Friday evening when they attended the Broadway revival of “A Raisin in the Sun” at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre.
During the show’s intermission, the Obamas made their way backstage to meet the cast which includes Denzel Washington, LaTayna Richardson and Sophie Okonedo.
According to the cast of the classic play, the first couple thoroughly enjoyed the show, and some are speculating the first lady will be returning again soon with her mother.
“They loved it,” Richardson told People. “I don’t want to say they’re coming back, but [Michelle] is trying to come back with her mom. And she goes to a lot of shows with the girls.”
Okonedo added that the first lady said she “loved the show.”
“I was so excited I couldn’t even hear anything said,” Okonedo said about speaking with the president.
She made it clear that she was a huge fan of the first couple and expressed her excitement over sharing a hug with the first lady.
“I hugged her,” Okonedo told People. “I just couldn’t help it. She just feels so approachable.”
Director Kenny Leon even hurried back from vacation once he discovered President Obama and the first lady would be attending the play.
“He and Michelle hugged me and told me they were just proud of me and proud of the work,” Leon said. “That’s a very special night. It was just a heightened energy throughout the building.”
The first couple’s presence didn’t just heighten the energy in the room; it also heightened the amount of security.
Adding metal detectors to the inside entrance and having Secret Service members get stationed at all the exits forced the show to be delayed by almost half an hour.
Richardson admitted that the delay was rather “nerve-racking,” but the cast still managed to quickly get back into their “Zen position” and focus on the show.
The show went off without a hitch and was so successful that the first couple decided to stay after for the standing ovation, despite being scheduled to leave beforehand.
The stars of the show took to Twitter afterwards to share their excitement with their social media followers.
“Just performed a great American play, #ARaisinInTheSun, front of a great American president, @BarackObama, on #Broadway. Thrilled,humbled,” Sean Patrick Thomas tweeted.
Anika Noni Rose tweeted, “Tonight, our beautiful first couple @BarackObama & @michelleobama came to #RaisinInTheSun. What a joy to see you both! Thank you! Blessings.”
