Celebrity News

Audra McDonald, Will Swenson, Jennifer Hudson Celebrate President Obama’s Second Term

Theater stars were on hand in Washington DC for a weekend of inauguration festivities.

Sarah Moore
Washington, DC
Broadway and theater powerhouses were in abundance last night to perform and celebrate in honor of President Obama’s inauguration for his second term. Tony Award winner Audra McDonald (The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess) and her husband, Tony Award nominee, Will Swenson (Hair) performed at the Human Rights Campaign’s celebration Out for Equality. Cyndi Lauper (Kinky Boots) also took the stage at the event.

McDonald, a noted advocate for marriage equality, is no stranger to the Obamas. She was featured in the PBS special A Broadway Celebration: in Performance at the White House, singing at the request of the President and First Lady Michelle Obama. Last summer, Michelle Obama and a friend watched McDonald perform from the audience of The Gershwins’ Porgy and Bess, and McDonald was one of the many Broadway headliners for the Barack on Broadway fundraiser.

At the President’s inaugural balls, Academy Award winner and Smash star Jennifer Hudson sang “Let’s Stay Together” by Al Green as the first couple danced. Alicia Keys changed the lyrics of “Girl on Fire” to “Obama on Fire.” Jamie Foxx reprised some Ray Charles and sang “I Can’t Stop Loving You” for the Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Dr. Jill Biden. Tony Award winner Denzel Washington (Fences) and Tony Award nominee Vanessa Williams (Into the Woods) were also guests at the party.

Broadway stars also made appearances at the Creative Coalition Inaugeral Ball, where Tony Award winner Alan Cumming (Cabaret), John Leguizamo (Ghetto Klown), Wayne Knight (Elf), Richard Kind (The Producers), and Richard Schiff (Glengarry Glen Ross) were guests.