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Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama are expanding their creative portfolio — this time onto the Broadway stage.
The pair will serve as producers on a revival of the Pulitzer Prize-winning play Proof through their media company Higher Ground Productions, marking the company’s first venture into theater. The production will feature actors Don Cheadle and Ayo Edebiri making their Broadway debuts, according to Variety.
Written by playwright David Auburn, Proof originally premiered in 2000 and went on to win both the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play. The story centers on Catherine, a young woman navigating grief and uncertainty after the death of her brilliant but troubled mathematician father. When a groundbreaking mathematical proof is discovered among his notebooks, questions emerge about authorship, legacy, and the thin line between genius and instability.
In a joint statement, the Obamas said they were drawn to the play’s deeper themes.
“To bring this landmark play back to Broadway with Ayo, Don, Tommy, and Mike at the helm is an extraordinary privilege, and we couldn’t be more proud to be part of this production,” they said per Variety. “Proof is exactly the kind of story Higher Ground was built to champion — a play that asks profound questions about brilliance, doubt, and what we inherit from the people we love most.”
The production will be directed by Tony Award winner Thomas Kail, known for his work on Hamilton. Kail will also produce alongside theater producer Mike Bosner. Additional cast members include Jin Ha and Samira Wiley.
The revival is scheduled for a 16-week limited engagement at the Booth Theatre. Previews are set to begin March 31, with an official opening night planned for April 16.
Higher Ground’s move into theater comes after several years of success in film, television, and audio storytelling. Since launching the company in 2018, the Obamas have produced a wide range of projects across platforms.
Among the company’s most recognized works is the Oscar-winning documentary American Factory, which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature. Higher Ground has also backed projects including Leave the World Behind and Rustin.
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