First Lady Michelle Obama and Daughters Attend DC Performance of Mary Poppins

By Andrew Gans
02 Jul 2010

Mary Poppins' Caroline Sheen
Mary Poppins' Caroline Sheen

First Lady Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia attended the July 1 performance of Disney and Cameron Mackintosh's hit musical Mary Poppins at The Kennedy Center in Washington, DC.

The North American tour of the family-friendly musical plays the the Opera House in the famed arts complex through Aug. 22. President Obama and the First Lady had seen a number from Mary Poppins performed at last month's taping of "America Celebrates July 4th at Ford's Theatre," which airs nationally July 2 at 9 PM ET on ABC; check local listings.

Caroline Sheen, who starred in the U.K. tour of Mary Poppins, now heads the cast of the North American tour.

The First Family recently brought a bright spotlight to Broadway: On March 21, the Obamas (minus President Barack Obama) attended the matinee of Memphis at the Shubert Theatre, and on March 22 they took in the 8 PM preview of the musical The Addams Family at the Lunt-Fontanne.

Richard Eyre directs Mary Poppins, which features choreography and co-direction by Matthew Bourne and boasts original songs from the film — with music and lyrics by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman — as well as new songs and additional music and lyrics by George Stiles and Anthony Drewe. Julian Fellowes wrote the book.

The musical also features set and costume design by Bob Crowley, co-choreography by Stephen Mear, lighting design by Howard Harrison, sound design Steve Canyon Kennedy, orchestrations by William David Brohn, musical direction by James Dodgson, musical supervision by David Caddick, tour director Anthony Lyn and associate choreographer Geoffrey Garrett.

For more information visit marypoppins.com.