// Workers AI · dad joke modeWhat did "44: The Musical" say to the orchestra? You're off-beat.
| 44: The Musical | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Music | Eli Bauman |
| Book | Eli Bauman |
| Basis | Presidency of Barack Obama |
| Premiere | 2022: The Bourbon Room |
44: The Musical (full title: 44: The UnOFFICIAL, UnSANCTIONED OBAMA MUSICAL) is a 2022 musical written and composed by Eli Bauman, a former Obama campaign staffer.[1]
Synopsis
[edit]A musical about the Obama presidency, as Joe Biden "kinda sorta remembers it."[1]
Production history
[edit]World premiere
[edit]The show made its world premiere at The Bourbon Room Hollywood, running November 2-15, 2022.[2] It reopened at the same theatre the following year from October 11 to November 18 2023.[3][4]
Chicago
[edit]44: The Musical ran at Epiphany Center for the Arts August 7-16 2024.[5]
Los Angeles
[edit]The show had a limited run at the Kirk Douglas Theatre from February 23 to March 23, 2025. [6][7] It became the highest grossing show in Kirk Douglas Theatre history.[1]
Off-Broadway
[edit]Previews began for the off-Broadway production on October 14, 2025 at the Daryl Roth Theatre. Opening night was November 6, and the show was originally scheduled to run through December 7 before being extended to January 4, 2026.[8][9]
Washington, D.C.
[edit]It also appeared at the Shakespeare Theatre Company, Klein Theatre for an extended run from April 18 to May 24, 2026. [10]
Musical Numbers
[edit]|
Act I
|
Act II
|
*As of 2025 off-Broadway run, as listed in program.
Characters and casting
[edit]| Character | World Premiere[2] | Bourbon Room Second Run[4] | Chicago[5] | Los Angeles[11] | Off-Broadway[8] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Barack Obama | T.J. Wilkins | ||||
| Michelle Obama | Shanice | ||||
| Joe Biden | Chad Doreck | ||||
| Mitch McConnell | Larry Cedar | ||||
| Sarah Palin | Jane Papageorge | Summer Collins | |||
| Voice of the People | Kitten Kuroi | Summer Nicole Greer | |||
| Lindsey Graham /
Coexist Lady |
Jeff Sumner | ||||
| Hillary Clinton | Kelley Dorney | Jenna Pastuszek | |||
| Herman Cain | Dino Shorté | ||||
| Ted Cruz | Michael Uribes | ||||
| Brother Abe Lincoln | — | Marqell Edward Clatyon | Jevon McFerrin | ||
| John Boehner | Kevin Bailey | — | |||
| Roger Ailes | Ted Barton | — | |||
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 Hall, Margaret (1 August 2025). "Barack Obama–Themed Comedy Musical 44 to Arrive Off-Broadway". Playbill. Retrieved 26 September 2025.
- 1 2 Cristi, A. A. "44: The UnOFFICIAL, UnSANCTIONED OBAMA MUSICAL To Have World Premiere At The Bourbon Room Hollywood". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
- ↑ Kaan, Gil. "Interview: Eli Bauman Discusses Return of 44 – THE unOFFICIAL, unSANCTIONED OBAMA MUSICAL". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2025-09-26.
- 1 2 Simmonds-Ronceros, Samantha (2023-10-18). "44 – THE unOFFICIAL, unSANCTIONED OBAMA MUSICAL". NoHo Arts District. Retrieved 2025-09-26.
- 1 2 Rabinowitz, Chloe. "44 - THE UNOFFICIAL, UNSANCTIONED OBAMA MUSICAL is Coming to Chicago". BroadwayWorld.com. Retrieved 2025-09-26.
- ↑ Evans, Greg (2025-08-01). "Obama Musical Comedy '44′ Coming To New York After Hit, Star-Packed Engagements In Chicago And Los Angeles". Deadline. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
- ↑ Lang, Brent (2025-01-27). "Barack Obama Musical '44' Reveals Full Cast Ahead of Kirk Douglas Theatre Run (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2025-09-26.
- 1 2 Lang, Brent (2025-09-15). "'44 – The Musical,' Satire About Obama Presidency, Announces Cast for New York Run (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2025-09-24.
- ↑ Hall, Margaret (2025-11-12). "Obama Musical 44 Extends Off-Broadway". Playbill. Retrieved 2026-07-22.
- ↑ "44 The Musical". Shakespeare Theatre Company. Retrieved 2026-05-28.
- ↑ Lang, Brent (2025-01-27). "Barack Obama Musical '44' Reveals Full Cast Ahead of Kirk Douglas Theatre Run (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2025-09-26.