Michelle Obama, Daughters Take in 'Trip to Bountiful'

By MARK KENNEDY
AP Drama Writer
NEW YORK
Michelle Obama and her daughters caught Broadway’s “The Trip to Bountiful” after spending part of the day watching tennis at the U.S. Open.

The first lady and her girls slipped into their seats at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre just as the first act was starting Saturday night and received a huge ovation when they took their seats for the second act.

The trio went back stage after the show and met the crew and cast, including Cicely Tyson, Vanessa Williams and Cuba Gooding Jr. Tyson stars in the Horton Foote revival as a widow who wants to revisit her old home in Bountiful and recapture the vitality and purpose she seemed to lose when she left for the big city decades ago.

The first lady was in town to promote her “Let’s Move” campaign during Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day at the U.S. Open.

The Obamas have been big boosters of Broadway. The first lady and Sasha and Malia have attended performances of “Memphis,” “Sister Act” and “The Addams Family.” And the first couple saw “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone” during a date night in 2009. Michelle Obama and six girlfriends also saw “Fela!” in 2010.