While the show's creator and star, Lin-Manuel Miranda did not confirm the President's attendance in advance, he did send out a series of cryptic tweets earlier today via social media. These included "Oh hey, nice to see you Mr. President. *Looks around for ex-boyfriend*". He also tweeted a link to his performance at the White House in 2009 with the caption, "It feels good to finish what you start."
The President would not be seeing Miranda performing in today's matinee show, as the title role was being performed by alternate Javier Muñoz, who made the annoucement earlier via his Facebook page. "Yes POTUS will be in the audience but I'm not nervous. I give my best every time no matter who is seeing the show," stated the public comment.
Obama's visit to Hamilton marks the culmination of a weekend trip to New York City. The celebrated show arrived on Broadway July 13 after an acclaimed, sold-out run at the Public Theater. It officially opens Aug. 6.
Obama joins a long history of U.S. presidents who have attended the theatre, including John F. Kennedy who saw How to Succeed at the very same Broadway house 53 years ago. As Playbill.com reported earlier in the year, First Lady Michelle Obama attended the April 18 matinee performance of Hamilton at the Public Theater. Members of the First Family have been frequent theatregoers.
Hamilton explores the life of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. Inspired by the book "Alexander Hamilton" by Ron Chernow, the musical fuses the worlds of contemporary and classic to tell the story of America's Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. For more information and to purchase tickets visit HamiltonBroadway.
"Oh, hey, nice to see you Mr. President" *looks around for ex-boyfriend*
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel)
July 18, 2015
From the Stay Humble Dept: Vanessa's high school boyfriend has tickets for today's matinee too. Everything happens at once. Good morning.
— Lin-Manuel Miranda (@Lin_Manuel)
July 18, 2015