By Darlene Donloe
When President Barack Obama was in office, he had a wondrous supporting cast that included his wife, Michelle Obama, his Vice President, Joe Biden, and his Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton.
And then there were those on the periphery who wanted nothing more than to derail his presidency.
People like Mitch McConnell, Herman Cain, Sarah Palin, Lindsay Graham, and Ted Cruz.
That mixed-up menagerie is part of ’44 The Musical,’ currently playing at the Kirk Douglas Theater in Culver City through March 23.
‘44 The Musical’ is a side-splitting, hilarious, and heartwarming satire that tells the story of Obama’s White House years through Joe Biden's hazy recollection. The show immediately grabs the audience with the opening song, M.F.O. (Muthaf*ckin Obama), sung by the company. That song sets the tone for what’s to come.
What comes is a talented cast with fabulous voices, clever dialogue, and streetwise choreography.
In the show, American politics, which of late has become the sad punchline of a horrible joke, is on the chopping block for some good-natured fun.
This is a bold, unapologetic satirical romp that fearlessly tackles issues like racism, sexism, and political corruption with in-your-face humor.
T. J. Wilkins, named in the Top 12 overall as a member of Team Usher on Season 6 of NBC’s ‘The Voice,’ and R&B artist Shanice (‘I Love Your Smile’) lead the cast as Barack and Michelle Obama. Wilkins and Shanice have incredible chemistry, which helps move the story forward. Whether they perform solo or as a duo, combining Wilkins’ and Shanice’s powerful voices results in fireworks.
The supporting cast is exceptional, with standout performances from Summer Nicole Greer, whose soulful vocals nearly blow the roof off, Chad Doreck as Joe Biden, Larry Cedar as Mitch McConnell, and Jenna Pastuszek as Hillary Clinton.
The music is catchy and memorable, mixing pop, R&B, and rock influences. The witty and insightful lyrics offer a clever commentary on the politics of the time.
‘44 The Musical,’ which had its premiere at the Bourbon Room in Hollywood in 2022, is written, composed, and directed by Eli Bauman (NBC’s ‘Maya & Marty’), a former Obama campaign organizer.
Bauman and Monica Saunders-Weinberg produce the show, which stars T.J. Wilkins as Barack Obama, Shanice as Michelle Obama, Chad Doreck as Joe Biden with Larry Cedar as Mitch McConnell, Marquell Edward Clayton as Brother Abe Lincoln, Summer Nicole Greer as Voice of the People, Jane Papageorge as Sarah Palin, Jenna Pastuszek as Hillary Clinton, Dino Shorte as Herman Cain, Jeff Sumner as Lindsay Graham, and Michael Uribes as Ted Cruz. Celeste Butler, Ally Dixon, and Scott Kruse are understudies.
The show features legendary L.A. band House of Vibe as ‘The Andrew Jackson Five’ with Anthony ‘Brew’ Brewster as musical director and keyboards, along with Conrad Bauer (guitar), Corey Cofield (bass), Phillip ‘Fish’ Fisher (drums), Greg Raymond (keyboards). The band is so tight it’s like an additional character in the show.
Miss James Aslop handles the show’s hip-hop-infused choreography. Julio Himede and Nicola Filler designed the production, Jonathan Burke designed the sound, Conrad Bauer is the digital content producer, Jud Nester is the content producer, and Mike Emerson is the graphic designer.
On the DONLOE SCALE: D (don’t bother), O (oh, no), N (needs work), L (likable), O (oh, yeah), and E (excellent), ’44 The Musical’ gets an E (excellent).
’44 The Musical,’ Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City, through March 23, 2025, $44, www/centertheatregroup.com
