Obamas named honorary chairs of Arena Stage

[August 06, 2010]  NEW YORK (AP) -- The upcoming theater season takes on a presidential flair as Barack and Michelle Obama become honorary chairs at Washington's Arena Stage.

This year marks the inaugural reopening of the facility, renamed the Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater. The not-for-profit regional theater complex has gone through extensive renovations since 2008.

The yearlong festivities kick off with a black-tie gala on Oct. 25 that includes a performance by Tony Award winner Brian Stokes Mitchell. The Obamas are expected to attend.

The theater hosted the developmental run of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize-winning play "Next to Normal" before it came to Broadway.

Along with the Obamas, Washington Mayor Adrian Fenty and his wife, Michelle, were named co-chairs.

Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith says the support of both couples emphasizes a seminal moment for the future of American theater in the Washington area.

[Associated Press; By JOHN CARUCCI]

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