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If you happen to be near West 46th Street and Broadway tomorrow afternoon, and notice blocks cordoned off and an unusually strong police presence, don’t be alarmed: The President of the United States is just taking in a show.
RECOMMENDED: Full guide to Hamilton on Broadway
Word on the street is President Obama will catch tomorrow’s matinee of Hamilton. The First Lady and her daughters attended Lin-Manuel Miranda’s insanely acclaimed hip-hop musical when it played Off Broadway at the Public, and now the leader of the free world wants to see what all the fuss is about. Actually, Obama was one of the first to see the piece gestating back in 2009. That wasn’t exactly a backer’s audition, but Miranda sure whetted our appetite.
What do you need to know about the President’s visit? Unless you have tickets to Hamilton’s matinee tomorrow—or for Finding Neverland down the block—you simply need to circumnavigate the area best you can. Last year, I coincidentally attended the Denzel Washington revival of A Raisin in the Sun the night Obama attended. It was a little crazy, a bit disruptive, but totally exhilarating to be in the same row as the Commander-in-chief, feeling the actors giving 150 percent.
The big question: Will Miranda appear in the title role tomorrow afternoon or will Javier Muñoz? It was recently reported that Muñoz would play Hamilton in selected Saturday and Sunday matinees during previews so the show’s principal creator could monitor from the audience. (Not to mention it’s a taxing role to do eight times a week.) You’d think that Miranda would jump at the chance to play for Obama ("I am not throwing away my shot," as Hamilton sings).
Or maybe he’ll grab the seat next to POTUS and ask for feedback after.