George and Barbara attend 'Guys and Dolls'

OGUNQUIT — George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara, made an appearance Sunday at the Ogunquit Playhouse to take in a top-notch production of "Guys and Dolls."

The former president, dressed in a colorful plaid madras jacket, could have fit in fabulously on stage with all the colorful costumes worn by the rest of the cast.

"Great show, great show," he kept telling the cast, as he greeted them backstage after the show. The Bushes attended Sunday's matinee with their son Jeb and family friend Jim Nance, the CBS Sports broadcaster. In all, there were eight in their party.

The entourage slipped in through a side door of the theater a few minutes before curtain. Barbara came first, and was instantly recognized by most people in the audience. George soon followed, and received a standing ovation from the audience. He offered a friendly salute to the crowd, while Barbara stood and waved.

By all appearances, they loved the show. They were effusive afterward, and enthusiastically showered the cast with praise. They posed for photos for a good 15 minutes, and took the time to talk to anyone who approached them. When it was time to go, George turned around and grabbed his wife by the hand. "Ready to go, Barbie," he asked, leading her toward the backstage door.

This is the second Ogunquit production the Bushes have attended this year. The first was the season-opener, "A Chorus Line." Outside the theater, executive artistic director Bradford T. Kenney invited the Bush's bask for "Singin' in the Rain," which opens Aug. 12. 

"Come back and bring your slickers," Kenney told Bush, shaking his hand as Bush prepared to enter a silver SUV.

"Thanks again, and don't worry about us," Bush told Kenney. Before he said his final good-bye, Bush wanted to make sure he was properly charged for his tickets. If not, he told Kenney, he would decline future invitations to attend. "We're going to pay for the tickets," Bush insisted.

Kenney tried to barter, offering the tickets in exchange for a boat ride.