While her husband was dealing with the fallout from the Paris terrorist attacks Monday, first lady Michelle Obama danced the conga with musical theater students at the White House.
Mrs. Obama dropped in on a workshop for the students Monday morning in the Diplomatic Room of the White House, where musical artist Gloria Estefan was taking part in an event that is culminating in a “Broadway at the White House” show Monday night.
Ms. Estefan was teaching the students a rendition of her signature song, “Conga,” from the Miami Sound Machine’s 1985 album Primitive Love, which is also featured in her new Broadway musical, “On Your Feet,” according to a pool report of the event.
The first lady bobbed her head as the students performed for her, and she joined them in dancing the conga on their third go-round, the pool reporter said.
“There you go with a shimmy!” choreographer Sergio Trujillo told the first lady.
The TLC network will air the “Broadway at the White House” special at 8 p.m. on Nov. 26, featuring performances from the musicals “Finding Neverland,” “Fun Home,” “An American in Paris,” “On Your Feet!,” “School of Rock” and “Something Rotten.”
It will be hosted by Kristin Chenoweth and Matthew Morrison.
In addition to Mrs. Obama and Ms. Estefan, guests will include Whoopi Goldberg, Christian Borle, Cicely Tyson and other current Broadway performers.
The White House workshop features 40 students from public arts high schools and after-school arts programs who are attending master classes in acting, directing, hair/make-up/costume design, music composition and musical theater.
• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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