44 The Musical: A New Comedy About Barack Obama's Rise

The Genesis of '44 The Musical'

• 💡 The musical '44 The Musical' was conceived by writer and director Eli Bauman in 2016 as a way to cope with the political climate, stemming from his experience working on the Obama campaign.
• 🎭 Bauman, who had no prior musical writing experience, began the project as a personal coping mechanism, which has now evolved into an off-Broadway production.

Casting and Character Portrayal

• 🎯 Actor T.J. Wilkins, who portrays Barack Obama, was initially brought in to record demos for the musical, impressing Bauman with his talent and connection to the material.
• 🎭 The casting prioritized capturing the essence of the characters over exact physical resemblance, with actors like T.J. Wilkins (Obama) and Chad Doric (Joe Biden) embodying the spirit rather than impersonating.
• 🎤 Wilkins focused on capturing Obama's distinct speech patterns, body language, and mannerisms, while also delving into his internal life through books like 'Dreams from My Father' to inform his performance.

The Musical's Tone and Themes

• 🎭 '44 The Musical' is described as irreverent but also touches on serious subjects, aiming to evoke a range of emotions from laughter to tears.
• ⚠️ Bauman intentionally avoids being middle-of-the-road, striving for content that makes audiences feel something, whether it's joy or sadness, rather than indifference.
• 💬 The musical confronts difficult topics like the Sandy Hook shooting and racial issues head-on, reflecting Bauman's belief that avoiding inconvenience is a 'coward's way out' artistically.
• 🎯 TJ Wilkins views Obama's arc in the play as the journey of a black man ascending to the highest office, navigating the challenges of race, leadership, and personal life.

Musical and Choreographic Elements

• 🎶 The show features a diverse musical style, incorporating hip-hop, R&B, and gospel influences.
• 🕺 Choreographer Miss James Alop created routines that tell a story, with T.J. Wilkins performing a chronological journey through black dance moves from the 1950s to the present in the song 'How Black is Too Black?'
• 🥁 The House of Vibe band, with their extensive experience, provides the musical heartbeat of the show, ensuring a tight and soulful sound that drives the dance numbers.

Production Evolution and Reception

• 🔄 The production is dynamic, with frequent changes and updates month-to-month to keep the creative process engaging for the cast and crew.
• 🗣️ Despite its potentially controversial nature, the musical has surprisingly been well-received by Republicans, with many becoming converts after seeing the show.
• ✅ The show has consistently left audiences wanting more, with a strong track record of positive reception in Chicago, Los Angeles, and now off-Broadway at the Daryl Roth Theater.