Michelle Obama to stop by Chicago Theatre for ‘The Light We Carry’ book tour
First Lady Michelle Obama speaks during the kickoff event for her book “Becoming” at the United Center, Nov. 13, 2018.
Ashlee Rezin/Sun-Times
NEW YORK — Michelle Obama is planning a six-city tour this fall in support of her new book, “The Light We Carry: Overcoming in Uncertain Times,” with a stop at her hometown’s Chicago Theatre in December.
The tour is set to begin in mid-November in Washington. D.C. and end a month later in Los Angeles.
“I’m looking forward to making some new connections — and of course, seeing some familiar faces from the last tour,” the former first lady said in a joint statement Wednesday released through her publisher, Crown, and tour promoter Live Nation.
“This book means so much to me — it’s a collection of perspectives and practices I’ve used to keep me afloat amid uncertainty. On this tour, I’ll be sharing some personal stories and lessons that have helped me along my path, and I can’t wait to tell you more.”
Obama will open at the Warner Theatre in Washington on Nov. 15, the publication date for her book. She will then travel to Philadelphia’s The Met on Nov. 18, Atlanta’s Fox Theatre on Dec. 3, the Chicago Theatre on Dec. 5 and San Francisco’s Masonic on Dec. 10, before closing at the YouTube Theater in Los Angeles on Dec. 13.
The venues have seating capacities ranging roughly from 2,000-6,500. The settings are far bigger than for most book events, but smaller than Obama’s stops on the first leg of her tour for the 2018 memoir “Becoming,” when she appeared at the United Center in Chicago and other arenas holding 15,000 or more.
“Becoming” was a near-instant million seller and went on to sell more than 17 million copies worldwide, making it the most popular book in modern times written by a former White House resident.
As with “Becoming,” Obama will speak at each city with guest moderators, to be announced later. Oprah Winfrey, Tracee Ellis Ross and Sarah Jessica Parker were among those who joined her for “Becoming.” In partnership with Live Nation, Obama will also set aside tickets at each venue for a select number of community members.
Fans can begin registering from Wednesday through Sept. 26 through Ticketmaster’s Verified Fan Platform. Any unsold tickets will be available to the general public starting Sept. 30.
Photos: Michelle Obama launches book tour at the United Center in 2018
