The Broadway-themed evening is presented as part of the White House's "In Performance" concert series. President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama host the 7 PM concert that will be filmed for an Oct. 20 broadcast on PBS.
The President is scheduled to introduce the evening that boasts performances by Lane (Guys & Dolls, The Addams Family), McDonald (Ragtime, Master Class), Pinkins (Caroline, or Change, Jelly's Last Jam) and songwriter Hamlisch (A Chorus Line, Sweet Smell of Success) as well as Idina Menzel (Wicked), Brian d'Arcy James (Next to Normal), Chad Kimball (Memphis) and Karen Olivo (West Side Story). Also performing is young actress Assata Alston and the Joy of Motion Dance Center ensemble.
In addition to the evening concert, a 2 PM dress rehearsal features students from the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and the Joy of Motion Dance Center, who are scheduled to perform a number from Hairspray under the direction of Tony-winning choreographer Jerry Mitchell.
"A Broadway Celebration: In Performance at the White House" will air on PBS at 9 PM on Oct. 20. The 60-minute concert is produced by WETA Washington, D.C., in association with Margo Lion, Ltd. and 101 Productions.
The Obamas have made three visits to Broadway in the past year, taking in performances of Joe Turner's Come and Gone, Memphis and The Addams Family. The White House also featured Memphis star Montego Glover as part of "America Celebrates July 4th at Ford's Theatre," which was chaired by the First Lady, and also included performances by Laura Michelle Kelly, Gavin Lee and the Broadway company of Mary Poppins and Dick Dan Dyke. In April, the cast of "Glee," including Tony nominees Lea Michele and Matthew Morrison, performed during the annual Easter Egg Roll.