With book, music, lyrics, and direction by Eli Bauman – former member of Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign – 44 THE MUSICAL embarks on an examination of Obama’s presidency with a chuckle and a poke in the ribs. Initially subtitled “The Unofficial Unsanctioned Obama Musical,” 44 THE MUSICAL takes a lot of leeway as it spoofs its way through all of the characters who surrounded Obama during his two terms as POTUS in 2008 and 2012. Think of 44 THE MUSICAL as musical theater meets Saturday Night Live and you’re on the right track. The show premiered in 2022 at the Bourbon Room in Hollywood. In 2025, it makes its Culver City debut at the Kirk Douglas Theatre.
Jenna Pastuszek, T.J. Wilkins, and Chad Doreck – Photo by Bella Marie Adams
The time is during Obama’s eight years in the White House, and the place is – the White House. President Barack Obama (T.J. Wilkins) wants to do his best for the American people – but it’s discouraging when he meets obstacles from the right that threaten to derail him. Michelle Obama (Shanice) loves and supports him – but is also direct and unflinching as she tells him like it is. Then there’s Obama’s VP, Joe Biden (Chad Doreck), who does the geriatric stumble on stairs but still proves to be an absurdly flexible dancer. 44’s villains are a treasure: they all belong to WHAM (white, heterosexual, affluent men) and they include good ol’ Southern boy pony-tailed Mitch McConnell (Larry Cedar), scowling Ted Cruz (Michael Uribes), dumb sexpot Sarah Palin (Jane Papageorge), and mincing Lindsey Graham (Jeff Sumner) who’s always twirling a parasol. And let’s not forget Herman Cain (Dino Shorte), the token Black in the very right group who can’t figure out how he ended up there. But 44 THE MUSICAL doesn’t stop there. There’s the overlooked and pissed off Hillary Clinton (Jenna Pastuszek) and even Brother Abe Lincoln (Marqell Edward Clayton).
Shanice – Photo by Bella Marie Adams
44 THE MUSICAL plays for laughs and usually succeeds in spades. The music may sound familiar as it cycles through ballads and rock, but the lyrics are clever even if easy to forget. And almost anything would sound good when the talented cast begins to sing their hearts out. One of the funniest characters in the show is Biden – who keeps sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong but doesn’t have a clue about his own buffoonly style. At the same time, the exaggerated foibles of these folks sometimes feels uncomfortable (think, for example, Hillary Clinton and Sarah Palin).
T.J. Wilkins and Chad Doreck – Photo by Bella Marie Adams
But – regardless of some flaws – through it all, there is the lively music conducted by music director and music co-producer Anthony “Brew” Brewster and the energetic dancing choreographed by Miss James Alsop. Kudos to the production team: Julio Himede’s, Avigail Gutfeld’s, and Yellow Studio’s scenic design is appropriately flashy and matched by Haley Meeker’s costumes. Nathan W. Scheuer’s lighting and projection design and Jonathan Burke’s sound round out a very professional presentation. The show has been described as “absolutely brilliant (Music Connection)” and “Holy Moly is this musical good (Noho Arts District).” To quote Charles McNulty’s LA Times review, “Wilkins’ Barack gives ‘44’ a soul. Shanice’s Michelle gives the musical a spine. Cedar’s Mitch gives the story a wily villain with freaky dance moves.”
Chad Doreck, T.J. Wilkins, and Jenna Pastuszek – Photo by Bella Marie Adams
Get ready for lots of chuckles and maybe even outright guffaws as 44 THE MUSICAL pokes fun at everybody within reach while surrounding the story and the cast with some lovely (and often bouncy) music. Of course, those with preferences for the right may not be as entertained as left leaners. Still, anyone with a sense of humor will probably find it hard not to enjoy Bauman’s take on the politics of the recent past.
44 THE MUSICAL runs through March 23, 2025, with performances at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays through Sundays. The Kirk Douglas Theatre is located at 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City, CA. Tickets start at $44. For information and reservations, go online.
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