44 The Musical Spoofs the Obama Presidency With This Utterly Irreverent, Totally Original, Clever, Witty, Heartwarming and Ridiculously Hilarious Elixir Now at the Klein Theatre
44 The Musical
Shakespeare Theatre Company
Klein Theatre
Jordan Wright
April 25, 2026
Cast of 44 The Musical at the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s Klein Theatre. (Photo/Jenny Anderson)
Warning: Do Not Read This Review – Go!
Already a winner of seven Broadway World Awards, 44 The Musical opens on Barack Obama’s election night as sung by the character, Voice of the People (Summer Nicole Greer), whose powerhouse soulful intro kicks off POTUS’s time in the White House. I’ve seen it with lead actor, T. J. Wilkins and again with his understudy Marqell Edward Clayton each playing the role of Obama and they are equally extraordinary.
As told by his loyal Veep and adoring White bro and loveable, laughable sidekick Joe Biden (Tony Award-winning material Chad Doreck) in this crazy, wild, utterly irreverent, clever, witty, heartwarming and hilarious musical is the elixir we need to counter the every goddamn five minutes of dizzying, politically fraught BREAKING NEWS! headache-inducing, news cycle we’re living in. Here’s our soul-soothing, deliciously snarky skewering of 44’s political enemies also known as the GOP. This musical lights up the stage infusing a blend of lampoon and burlesque with lightning-quick comic shtick and a heart-warming romance delivered by top-tier singers. You couldn’t ask for more.
Cast of 44 The Musical (Photo/Jenny Anderson)
Briliantly directed, co-produced, written and composed by Eli Bauman, the cast of familiar characters includes Obama’s ever-lovely, “when they go low, we go high” wife, the beautiful Michelle (pitch-perfect Howard University grad, Sy Smith) and rival Hillary Clinton (Jenna Pastuszek totally nailing the sister side of the equation), along with Obama’s familiar nemeses – a slithery Mitch McConnell (Larry Cedar); don’t-remind-anyone-he’s-Latino Ted Cruz (Michael Uribes); a polar bear-hating Sarah Palin (Summer Collins), a lace parasol-toting Linday Graham (Jeff Sumner) and Godfather’s Pizza CEO Herman Cain (Dino Shorté) as their token Republican Black brother. They are a multi-talented cast of scene stealers in the best way possible.
Eager to upend Obama’s presidency and undermine hs signature programs, this band of loonies form a cabal called W. H. A. M. – an acronym for White, Heterosexual, Affluent Men. A dim-witted, pole-dancing, sexy babe Palin fronts for the female vote while Cain is the goofy group’s absurdly transparent attempt at racial inclusion. In an effort to be superfly and get the youth vote, the men go all Flavor Flav in clock neck chains and track suits and you could easily lose it watching McConnell fronting in Calvin Klein underwear.
Cast of 44 The Musical (Photo/Jenny Anderson)
As Obama’s charisma soars and Michelle’s charm and savvy dazzle, Act 2 takes us to his second term as the ridiculous personal attacks prevail. Who doesn’t recall the tan suit debacle contrived by Republicans and Fox News pundits? Here called Faux News with a send-up presented by two ditsy identical blondes in matching skimpy dresses as a “Wonder Bread sandwich” for Herman Cain.
A wowza score by Bauman features 24 catchy numbers including soulful ballads and a Gospel trio to counterpoint the wacky political parodies. Perched the box seats is the kick ass House of Vibe All Stars band led by Musical Director and Co-Producer Anthony “Brew” Brewster.
Cast of 44 The Musical (Photo/Jenny Anderson)
You’ll leave the theater merrily singing the raunchy-perfect tribute tune “M. F. O.” – short for mother-f***in’ Obama. Major kudos to Miss James Alsop’s brilliant choreography because this cast has hoofers as well as belters.
Terrific production values with costumes by Matthew Hemesath; Scenic Design by Julio Himede and Yellow Studio; Lighting Design by Nathan W. Scheuer and Natali Arco; Sound Design by Jonathan A. Burke; Wig & Hair Design by Brian Strumwasser. Co-Lead Produced with Bauman Monica Saunders-Weinberg.
Through May 10th at the Klein Theatre, 450 7th Street, Washington, DC 20004. For tickets and information call the box office at 202.547.1122 or visit www.44TheObamaMusical.com.