Theatre Dork-In-Chief!

The secret is out: President Obama is a theatre dork!!! Evidence has been stacking up against him in recent months. Much as he may try to hide it, it's becoming increasingly clear that Obama's heart lies on the Great White Way. You may think he enjoys devoting his time to solving national crises like the BP oil spill, the nation's wheezing economy, and that pesky war in Afghanistan. I mean, who wouldn't love digging their teeth into challenges like those?!

But if that's what you think, you are wrong. It's all just a cover. Let's probe a little deeper. Allow me to present the incriminating evidence:

• May 31, 2009: POTUS escorts FLOTUS to an evening performance of "Joe Turner's Come and Gone" at the Belasco Theatre. Afterward, the President was chastised by the Republican party for this frivolity, accusing him of slacking off during the height of the health care debate. Why should the President enjoy a weekend excursion to New York City while the Republicans must remain in Washington, tirelessly honing their nuanced campaign against health reform (death panels!)?

• March 21, 2010: Michelle Obama, ostensibly sans Barack, takes daughters Sasha and Malia to a performance of the Tony Award-winning musical "Memphis." Mainstream media accounts of this particular outing failed to mention the President's presence out of their desire to protect him from a second round of Republican attacks (let's not forget the extreme liberal bias of the mainstream media!). But rest assured, he was there, too.
  

• July 19, 2010: President Obama finally comes out of the closet as the theatre dork that he is, joyously embracing all things Broadway. He invited many of Broadway's brightest stars to the White House for a veritable theatrical orgy. Broadway director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell taught Michelle Obama some jazz squares and grapevines, representatives were on hand from the National Endowment for the Arts, and a good time was had by all.
  

I'd like to let the President's words speak for themselves, because they embody the quintessence of eloquence (as usual):

In many ways, the story of Broadway is also intertwined with the story if America. Some of the greatest singers and songwriters Broadway has ever known came to this country on a boat with nothing more than an idea in their head and a song in their heart. And they succeeded the same way that so many immigrants have succeeded -– through talent and hard work and sheer determination.

Over the years, musicals have also been at the forefront of our social consciousness, challenging stereotypes, shaping our opinions about race and religion, death and disease, power and politics.

But perhaps the most American part of this truly American art form is its optimism. Broadway music calls us to see the best in ourselves and in the world around us -– to believe that no matter how hopeless things may seem, the nice guy can still get the girl, the hero can still triumph over evil, and a brighter day can be waiting just around the bend.

Well said, Mr. President.

I'm happy to have a President who likes Broadway. It's a refreshing change. Somehow, I just can't picture President Bush settling into his seat for a matinee of "La Cage au Folles."