Barack and Michelle Obama are co-producing their first Broadway play.
The former U.S. president and first lady announced that their media company Higher Ground will bring the Broadway revival of Proof, the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by David Auburn that centers on the daughter of a math professor who finds a notebook containing revelatory evidence after his death.
Don Cheadle and Ayo Edebiri are set to make their Broadway debuts in the production, which will also feature Pachinko’s Jin Ha and Orange Is the New Black star Samira Wiley. The 16-week run, which opens in April, will be directed by Tony-winner Thomas Kail, who will also produce alongside Mike Bosner and the Obamas.
“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,” the Obamas said in a statement Wednesday.
“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.”
Bosner and Kail said in a statement, “We’re thrilled to welcome Higher Ground as partners on Proof and to have their creative vision and passion behind this production. Their impeccable taste in storytelling and community-building makes them ideal collaborators for this revival.”
The Tony Award-winning play, known for its film adaptation starring Gwyneth Paltrow and Anthony Hopkins, explores themes about genius, mental illness and love as the main character, Catherine, explores her relationship with her sister Claire, her father’s former student Hal, and the truth about her dad’s life.
The Obamas’ involvement in Proof marks Higher Ground’s first theater production, although the organization has championed works across film, TV and podcasts including the Oscar-winning documentary American Factory, sci-fi thriller Leave the World Behind, Michelle’s documentary Becoming and the Oscar-nominated Colman Domingo Netflix film Rustin. The company has produced over a dozen projects with Netflix since they first partnered with the streaming platform in 2018.
Higher Ground’s podcasting network includes shows like IMO with Michelle Obama & Craig Robinson, Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso, and Audible Originals The Wonder of Stevie and Fela Kuti: Fear No Man.
In total, the company has earned three Academy Award nominations, six Emmy wins from 12 nominations and two Grammy wins from three nominations.
The limited run of Proof will begin previews at the Booth Theatre in New York City from March 31, ahead of opening night April 16.
