’44 – The Musical,’ Satire About Obama Presidency, Announces Cast for New York Run (EXCLUSIVE)
“44 – The Musical,” a political satire that features music, lyrics and book by former Obama campaign staffer Eli Bauman, has announced the cast for its New York run. The show will feature T.J. Wilkins as Barack Obama and Shanice as Michelle Obama, with Chad Doreck as Joe Biden. It will play the Daryl Roth Theatre (101 East 15th Street) for a limited eight-week engagement beginning on Oct. 14.
Monica Saunders-Weinberg is a lead producer alongside Bauman. The show is currently playing a return engagement at Chicago’s Studebaker Theater (410 South Michigan Avenue) until Sept. 21. It will have an official press opening in New York on Nov. 6 and run until Dec. 7.
“I keep pinching myself knowing that our dream of coming to New York City and being in the Daryl Roth Theatre is actually happening next month,” said Saunders-Weinberg. “Now more than ever we all need a way to come together, connect, feel joy and try to make sense of the world we are in. It’s a true honor to bring ’44’ off Broadway and to share it with everyone.”
Wilkins has appeared on NBC’s “The Voice.” Shanice is an award-winning R&B artist who has appeared on OWN’s “Flex & Shanice.” Doreck’s credits include “Altar Boyz.” The rest of the cast includes Audri Bartholomew (u/s Voice of the People, Ted Cruz & Michelle Obama), Larry Cedar (Mitch McConnell), Summer Collins (Sarah Palin), Wilkie Ferguson III ((u/s Brother Abe & Herman Cain), Summer Nicole Greer (Voice of the People, u/s Michelle Obama), Jenna Pastuszek (Hillary Clinton), Dino Shorté (Herman Cain), Chelsea Morgan Stock (u/s Clinton, Palin), Jeff Sumner (Lindsey Graham), Michael Uribes (Ted Cruz) and Ryan Williams (u/s Biden, McConnell, Graham, Cruz).
In addition to his work in politics, Bauman was a writer on NBC’s “Maya & Marty.”
“Back in November of 2021, I did a reading of my first ever musical in the valley of Los Angeles,” said Bauman. “I had no clue if the musical was any good, and I was shocked that any actor — let alone talented ones — would want to be in it. Four years later, six actors from the first reading have done every single production since — Chad Doreck, Dino Shorte, Larry Cedar, Michael Uribes, Jeff Sumner, and our Obama himself, T.J. Wilkins, who has sung every single note since.”
“In 2022, we were lucky enough to swoop up the incomparable Shanice to play Michelle Obama and later welcome Summer Nicole Greer, Jenna Pastuzcek, Summer Collins, Audri Bartholemew and Ryan Williams along with our band, ‘The Andrew Jackson Five,’ to our ’44’ family for our sold out runs in L.A. and Chicago,” continued Bauman. “It is among the proudest moments of my life to bring this crew, who put their faith in me years ago, and have poured their hearts into this show ever since, to the bright lights of New York and the Daryl Roth Theatre.”
Directed by Bauman, the music director is Anthony “Brew” Brewster with choreography by Miss James Alsop.
“44” has scenic design by Julio Himede, costume design by Matthew Hemesath, lighting design by Nathan W. Scheuer and Natali Arco and sound design by Jonathan A. Burke.
It features L.A. band House of Vibe as “The Andrew Jackson Five” with Brewster (keyboards), Phillip “Fish” Fisher (drums), Corey Cofield (bass), Conrad Bauer (guitar) and Greg Raymond (keyboards). The music supervisor is Ferguson III.
“44” is produced in association with Brewster, Steve McKeever (Hidden Beach Recordings), Bauer and Shanice and Kerry Gordy. General Management is DR Theatrical Management.
“44” looks at Obama’s presidency, as well as the eccentric political characters that orbited the White House in his era. The producers joke it’s “the story of Obama as Joe Biden kinda sorta remembers it…”
“44” recently had a return engagement at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in spring 2025. It was initially announced for four weeks, but was extended another eight weeks to meet demand, becoming the highest grossing show in Kirk Douglas Theatre history.
It attracted many celebrity guests, including Stevie Wonder, Martin Short, Larry David, Rep. Adam Schiff, Martin Lawrence, Wanda Sykes, Charlamagne Tha God, Tobey Maguire, Dionne Warwick, Bill Burr, Vivica A. Fox and members of the Red Hot Chili Peppers, among many others.
Following its first L.A. run in 2023, the musical took home seven Broadway World L.A. Awards, including best musical, ensemble, direction of a musical, musical direction and choreography.
