Former President Barack Obama made a surprise appearance in New York City Friday afternoon, where he was spotted and greeted by adoring fans before going on to catch a Broadway show with daughter Malia later that night.
Obama was first seen leaving an office building at 160 Fifth Avenue, near the Flatiron Building, around 12 p.m.
There was a strong security presence around the entrance to the building prior to Obama's exit, and by the time he made his departure the street was thronged the people waiting to catch a glimpse of the former president.
Video posted on Instagram showed a relaxed Obama walk out of the building with a coffee cup in hand, smiling and waving to the crowd.
The crowds can be heard screaming "I love you" as he makes his way to a waiting car.
Later, Obama and daughter Malia attended a performance of "The Price" at the American Airlines Theatre, a spokesman for the Roundabout Theatre Company confirmed. The Broadway play, penned by Arthur Miller, stars Marc Ruffalo, Jessica Hecht, Tony Shalhoub and Danny DeVito.
In "The Price," a police officer feels that life has passed him by while he took care of his now-dead father. He and his estranged brother must reunite to sell off dad's possessions.
The Obamas were big boosters of Broadway during his presidency, especially "Hamilton," ''A Raisin in the Sun" and "Joe Turner's Come and Gone." Members of the Obama family also attended "Memphis," ''Kinky Boots," ''Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark," ''Sister Act," ''The Trip to Bountiful," ''Motown the Musical" and "The Addams Family."
