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The Obamas’ production company, Higher Ground, is entering Broadway: the company is co-producing a revival of David Auburn’s play Proof, starring Ayo Edebiri and Don Cheadle, which opens at the Booth Theatre on April 16. The move marks Higher Ground’s first theatrical venture and signals increased crossover between celebrity-backed streaming producers and live theatre just as Broadway rebounds from pandemic-era disruptions.
Proof centers on a young woman grappling with the death of her father, a once-brilliant mathematician whose decline raises questions about genius, mental illness and the legacy we inherit. The revival pairs Edebiri in the daughter’s role with Cheadle as the father; Samira Wiley and Jin Ha are also in the cast.
Creative team and production details
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The production is directed by Thomas Kail, best known for his work on Hamilton, who also serves as a lead producer alongside Mike Bosner. Higher Ground joins as a producing partner, bringing its film, television and podcast credits to the stage for the first time.
- Opening date: April 16 (this spring)
- Venue: Booth Theatre, Broadway
- Lead cast: Ayo Edebiri, Don Cheadle
- Supporting cast: Samira Wiley, Jin Ha
- Director / lead producer: Thomas Kail
- Other producers: Mike Bosner; production partner Higher Ground
Higher Ground, founded by Barack and Michelle Obama, has a first-look agreement with Netflix and has previously collaborated with Spotify. The company’s credits include feature and documentary projects such as Leave the World Behind, Crip Camp, Rustin and American Factory, and its involvement on Broadway underscores a broader trend of multimedia producers bringing established storytelling brands to live stages.
The Obamas described the play as the kind of work their company aims to elevate — a story that probes the tensions between brilliance and doubt and explores what we inherit from loved ones. Bosner and Kail welcomed Higher Ground’s participation, saying the company’s commitment to storytelling and community-making makes it a natural partner for the revival.
Why this matters now
Celebrity and streaming producers moving into theatrical production can change how Broadway shows are financed, cast and promoted—often drawing wider public attention and selling tickets beyond traditional theatregoers. With a director from the Hamilton team and screen stars at the center, this revival is poised to draw interest from both stage fans and mainstream audiences.
For theatregoers and cultural observers, the production is notable for its high-profile collaborators and for confirming Broadway’s appeal to producers who have primarily worked in film, TV and podcasts. That cross-pollination may reshape programming choices and marketing strategies on the Great White Way in the months ahead.
