Michelle Obama and Family Attend MEMPHIS on Broadway

How did Michelle Obama, her mother Marian Robinson and daughters Malia and Sasha along with some friends to avoid the bitter health care debate in Washington, DC today? By attending the perfect 'escape' - a Broadway show. 

Numerous audience reports have talked about the first family (minus Barack of course) attending this afternoon's performance of MEMPHIS on Broadway. With numerous amounts of extra security affecting both the show and the surrounding area, audience members gave them a standing ovation both pre-show and again when they returned to their seat at intermission.

Unlike when Barack and Michelle last came to town to see August Wilson's Joe Turner's Come and Gone, this trip was kept completely secret from media.

MEMPHIS features a brand new score with music by Bon Jovi's founding member/keyboardist David Bryan and lyrics by Bryan and Joe DiPietro (I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change), who also pens the musical's book. MEMPHIS is based on a concept by the late George W. George (producer of the Tony nominated Bedroom Farce and the film My Dinner With Andre), with direction by Tony nominee Christopher Ashley (Xanadu) and choreography by Sergio Trujillo (Jersey Boys).

MEMPHIS takes place in the smoky halls and underground clubs of the segregated 50's, a young white DJ named Huey Calhoun (Chad Kimball) fell in love with everything he shouldn't: rock and roll and an electrifying black singer (Montego Glover). MEMPHIS is an original story about the cultural revolution that erupted when his vision met her voice, and the music changed forever.

MEMPHIS stars Chad Kimball (Huey) and Montego Glover (Felicia) with Derrick Baskin (Gator), J. Bernard Calloway (Delray), James Monroe Iglehart (Bobby), Tony nominee Michael McGrath (Mr. Simmons), and Cass Morgan (Mama).

Tickets for MEMPHIS range from $41.50 to $126.50 (including a $1.50 facility fee). The performance schedule is as follows: Tuesday at 7pm, Wednesday - Saturday evenings at 8pm, Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2pm, and Sundays at 3pm. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.Telecharge.com, call 212.239.6200 or visit the Shubert Theatre Box Office (225 West 44th Street).

www.memphisthemusical.com