A LOVE LETTER TO THE OBAMAS THAT
BRINGS THE WHITE HOUSE DOWN

The biggest surprise of the season for me has been 44 – The Musical, which opened last night at the Daryl Roth Theatre. Billed as a satirical look at the rise and presidency of Barack Obama—and the eccentric characters he met along the way—this exuberant new musical is all that and so much more.

Shanice and T.J. Wilkins

Originating in Los Angeles in 2023, with a successful run in Chicago and a return engagement to L.A., I had wrongly assumed it would be in the same vein as Forbidden Broadway, those revue-style spoofs of Broadway hits. Currently, playing in the same theater where Titaníque had a long and cheeky voyage, one might expect a tongue-in-cheek reincarnation from the Titanic to the White House. But no—it’s so much more.

Chad Doreck, T.J. Wilkins, Jenna Pastuszek

Yes, it’s a laugh-out-loud satire, but it’s also unexpectedly poignant, heartfelt, and tender. Told through the eyes of Joe Biden—allowing the creative team some leeway to “skew” a few facts as needed—the show is anchored by the multitalented Chad Doreck. He’s not an impersonator but rather the Donald O’Connor of our time: a quadruple threat who sings, dances, acts, and cracks us up with equal skill. Doreck wins over the audience from his first number as Biden, “Just Ask Joe.” Watch how he’s always inching toward Obama (the charismatic and soulful T.J. Wilkins) and sliding himself between Barack and Michelle (the powerhouse Shanice). His deliberately awkward, endearingly white dance moves and his clapping on the wrong beats elicit waves of laughter and affection.

Chad Doreck

It quickly became clear that if every performer in 44 auditioned on NBC’s The Voice, all four coaches would spin their chairs around. Turns out, Wilkins was on Team Usher in Season 12. From his first entrance, he exudes the same likable magnetism Obama displayed when he burst onto the national stage at the 2004 Democratic Convention. That very moment is recreated here in the rousing song “Red States, Blue States,” which captures Obama’s authentic belief in unity. Other numbers deepen the portrait: “How Black Is Too Black,” a R&B reflection on racial identity and perception, and in Act II, following a mass shooting, “Amazing Grace” and “Remember Me,” two quietly devastating ballads sung to his sleeping daughters.

Chad Doreck and Shanice

The vocal fireworks don’t stop there. Shanice brings the house down with “Get It Together,” one of several moments where Michelle urges Barack to push through self-doubt. Their duet “White House Love” sweetly evokes the Obamas’ real-life partnership—rarely has political devotion felt this romantic. Summer Nicole Greer  as the Voice of the People is another powerhouse singer, displaying vocal gymnastics with the best of them.

Jenna Pastuszek, Dino Shorté and Summer Collins

The supporting cast is uniformly terrific: Jenna Pastuszek’s wound-up Hillary Clinton; Summer Collins’ delightfully unhinged Sarah Palin (wait until she rips an American flag from its staff and pole-dances!); Larry Cedar’s deadpan Mitch McConnell; Evan Tyrone Martin’s saintly Brother Abe Lincoln (plus many more roles); Dino Shorté’s smooth Herman Cain; Jeff Sumner’s effeminate Lindsey Graham; and Michael Uribes’ blustery, blowhard Ted Cruz. Altogether, they form a vibrant, fearless ensemble.

The Cast

Julio Himede and Yellow Studio’s large, intricate set is a visual playground of spinning portraits, hidden passageways, and striped walls that open to reveal surprises—complete with a Hello, Dolly! up-center staircase for power entrances. Perched above it all, music director Anthony “Brew” Brewster leads a five-piece band (Conrad Bauer, Corey Cofield, Phillip “Fish” Fisher, and Greg Raymond) that keeps the score grooving and the energy sky-high.

The Cast

Matthew Hemesath’s costumes are witty, colorful, and wonderfully varied—some quick changes are dazzling in their precision. His details, like the infamous tan suit, land with knowing humor. Choreographer Miss James Alsop fills the stage with motion that’s soulful, sexy, and full of its own punchlines. The score itself is a revelation—joyous, tuneful, and varied, from gospel to R&B to pure Broadway balladry. I can’t wait for the cast recording.

Among the numerous comedic showstoppers: Hillary’s “My Turn,” Palin’s “Drill Me Baby,” “Oh, Herman Cain,” “What Would Liam Neeson Do?,” “We Got Bin Laden,” and “F.U.T.C.” (a sassy anthem that nearly brings the roof down with the audience joining in on the chorus of “Fuck You Ted Cruz!”).

The Cast

It’s hard to believe 44 – The Musical marks the musical debut of Eli Bauman as director, lead producer, writer, and composer. Before curtain, Bauman offered a brief, disarming welcome—urging the audience to leave the world’s chaos outside and to share in this moment of joy. And, thankfully, in the many ways he contributes, he delivers. There’s genuine joy in every frame of this production.

Chad Doreck

By mixing sharp satire with moments of sincerity, Bauman has created something rare: a political parody with guts, groin, and heart. The biggest challenge is when the jokes land less as punchlines than as truth and accurate facts. There are only so many laughs at Ted Cruz, Mitch McConnell, and the other cronies before our stomachs tighten from the sickening truth. Regardless, how lucky we are to have this love letter to the Obamas. I wonder if they were able to see the Chicago run. If not, I hope they make the trip to NYC. But they better hurry—it’s a limited run.

✦    ✦    ✦    ✦    ✦    ✦    ✦    ✦    ✦    ✦

photos by Jenny Anderson

44 – The Musical
Daryl Roth Theatre, 101 E. 15th St
ends on December 7, 2025
2 hours and 20 minutes, with one intermission
for tickets (starting at $44), visit 44 The Obama Musical

✦    ✦    ✦    ✦    ✦    ✦    ✦    ✦    ✦    ✦

Gregory Fletcher is an author, theater professor, playwright, director, and stage manager. His publishing credits include a craft book on playwriting entitled Shorts and Briefs, as well as a collection entitled A Playwright’s Dozen: 13 short plays. Other publishing includes two YA novels (Other People’s Crazy, and Other People’s Drama), 2 novellas in the series Inclusive Bedtime Stories, 2 short stories in The Night Bazaar series, and five essays. Website, Facebook, Instagram.