44, the unOfficial, unSanctioned Obama Musical
Reviewed by F. Kathleen Foley
The Bourbon Room
Through May 20
RECOMMENDED
You might ask if the time for a musical about Barack Obama has come and gone. So much fetid water has flowed under the political bridge since the time of his administration that such an endeavor could simply rake up painful memories of a halcyon, hopeful time — an era that seems almost quaint in light of present reality.
But the time is absolutely right for the zeitgeist of the Obama years to be dusted off, shaken up, and given a shot in the arm by something exactly like 44, the unOfficial, unSanctioned Obama Musical, now playing at the Bourbon Room in Hollywood. The musical satire — a reprise of a previous sellout run — is superbly realized in every particular, from the live rock band, House of Vibe, helmed by music director Anthony “Brew” Brewster, to James Alsop’s hip-hop infused choreography, to the actors, who are not only incredible singers but who handle the wacky (and sometimes surprisingly poignant) demands of their material with unflagging enthusiasm and energy. (Casting director Michael Donovan has assembled a dream cast.)
The brainchild behind the scenes is Eli Bauman, a former Obama campaign organizer who wrote the music, lyrics and book and also directs. (Some of the songs were co-written with his father, Jon “Bowzer” Bauman of the ‘70s group Sha Na Na. Bauman Sr. also does a stint on piano.)
Bauman takes a surprisingly linear approach to the historical record but most commonly segues into farce — and occasionally ventures into surrealism of a near Dada-esque stripe. What results is a blissfully freewheeling mishmash, and we delightedly follow Bauman down whatever rabbit hole he cares to explore.
Not that Bauman gives the crises Obama faced against crushing partisan opposition short shrift. The mass shootings that occurred during his administration, with an emphasis on the elementary school massacre at Sandy Hook, are movingly addressed, as is the killing of Osama bin Laden — an event that arguably helped boost Obama to a second term.
The evening is spearheaded by T.J. Wilkins as Obama and Shanice as Michelle, who regularly blow the audience away with their vocals. The two share the convincing intimacy of Chicago community organizers who achieve the pinnacle of political power but find their truest strength in their unabashedly sensual marriage, steamily expressed in several Top-40 worthy love duets.
Wilkins and Shanice, of course, take focus, but the rest of the actors have their moments to shine, individually and collectively. Chad Doreck’s Joe Biden is the loveably clueless doofus who narrates the action; Kelly Dorney’s Hillary Clinton bristles with comical rage at missing her “turn” to be prez; Jane Papageorge’s pole-dancing Sarah Palin is as sexy as she is soulless; while Jeff Sumner’s mincing Lindsay Graham fans himself like a Southern matron having a hot flash in high summer.
Meanwhile, power-hungry conservative pawn Herman Cain (Dino Shorté) wonders how he got hooked up with these racist Republican bros, while decent John Boehner (Kevin Bailey) wrestles with his conscience until finally summoning the will to rebel against his Repug overlord Mitch McConnell (Larry Cedar, in the creepiest, funniest turn of the evening) Kitten Kuroi rounds out the cast as the Voice of the People.
Oh, and let us not forget the immensely disliked Ted Cruz (Michael Uribes), the object of an obscene, rafter-raising number that had the audience singing along in pure glee. It’s a cathartic moment, one of many in this loaded “44” — a heartening reminder of an articulate and classy President who did us proud.
The Bourbon Room, 6356 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles. Wednesdays-Saturdays, 7 p.m. through May 20. No performance Saturday May 13. Note: a $25 minimum purchase for food and/or drink is required in addition to the ticket purchase. https:// 44ObamaMusical.com Running time: two hours and 15 minutes with an intermission.
