Former U.S. president Barack Obama and former first lady Michelle Obama say they’re excited about a new creative project they’ll be taking on together.
Although some supporters have encouraged one of them to return to politics, the couple is choosing a different path. Instead, they are expanding their storytelling work through their production company Higher Ground Productions by helping produce their first Broadway show.
The project they’re backing is a revival of the Pulitzer Prize–winning play Proof, written by David Auburn. The story centers on the daughter of a brilliant but troubled mathematician who discovers a notebook after his d3ath that may contain groundbreaking work—raising questions about genius, inheritance, and trust.
The new Broadway production will star Don Cheadle as the mathematician and Ayo Edebiri as his daughter, marking both actors’ Broadway debuts.
In a statement released Wednesday (March 11), the Obamas said they felt honored to help bring the celebrated play back to the stage.
“To bring this landmark play back to Broadway with Ayo, Don, Tommy, and Mike at the helm is an extraordinary privilege, and we couldn’t be more proud to be part of this production,” they said. “Proof is exactly the kind of story Higher Ground was created to champion — one that explores brilliance, doubt, and what we inherit from the people we love.”
The revival will run for 16 weeks starting in April and will be directed by Tony Award winner Thomas Kail, who will also produce the show alongside Mike Bosner and the Obamas.
This marks a new step for Higher Ground, which has mainly focused on film, television, and podcasts. The company has already received three Academy Award nominations, winning one for American Factory, along with six Emmy Awards and two Grammys.
Bosner and Kail welcomed the partnership, saying Higher Ground’s passion for meaningful storytelling makes them ideal collaborators for the revival.
The play originally premiered Off-Broadway at Manhattan Theatre Club in 2000 before transferring to Broadway, where it won several major awards. It was later adapted into a 2005 film starring Anthony Hopkins and Gwyneth Paltrow.
With the Obamas now involved in the Broadway revival, many theater fans are eager to see whether this new run of Proof will achieve the same success as the original.
The addition of Higher Ground Productions has brought a renewed sense of excitement to the revival. Producers Bosner and Kail explained that the Obamas’ company is known for supporting projects that combine strong storytelling with meaningful themes, making Proof a natural fit for their involvement.
They noted that the play’s emotional depth and intellectual themes still resonate strongly with modern audiences. “Proof is a story about family, genius, mental health, and the struggle to trust yourself,” the producers shared. “Those ideas are timeless, and with the support of Higher Ground, we have the chance to present them to a new generation of theatergoers.”
Originally written by David Auburn, Proof quickly became one of the most celebrated plays of its time. After its 2000 Off-Broadway premiere at the Manhattan Theatre Club, the production transferred to Broadway and went on to win the Tony Award for Best Play and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
The story centers on Catherine, the daughter of a brilliant but mentally unstable mathematician, as she tries to prove that a groundbreaking mathematical discovery is truly her own work. The role was famously played on stage by Mary-Louise Parker, whose performance earned widespread acclaim.
In 2005, the play reached an even wider audience when it was adapted into the film Proof, starring Anthony Hopkins and Gwyneth Paltrow. While the movie introduced the story to film audiences, many theater fans believe the play’s true power is experienced live on stage.
Now, with Higher Ground Productions—founded by Barack Obama and Michelle Obama—joining the production team, expectations are especially high. Their company has already built a reputation for producing thoughtful and award-winning projects in film, television, and documentary storytelling.
Industry insiders say the revival could bring a fresh perspective to the beloved play, possibly with updated staging, a new cast, and modern interpretations of its themes. If the production captures the same emotional intensity that made the original so successful, it could once again become one of Broadway’s most talked-about shows.
For theater lovers, the big question remains: can this revival live up to the legacy of the original? With a powerful script, experienced producers, and the backing of Higher Ground, many believe Proof has a strong chance of finding success all over again.
