*** Recommended 44 – THE MUSICAL, a bawdy musical parody of the Obama years playing at the Studebaker Theater, is slick, satiric and glamorous. While the voices are glorious and the show is entertaining and funny, there’s not a lot of substance and it’s way too long. Don’t try to find meaning, just sit back and enjoy watching caricatures of well-known political figures. If you’re offended by profanities like the f-bomb – which is repeated multiple times in one song, you should probably skip this show. 3 Spotlights
Summer Nicole Greer who plays the Voice of the People has one of the best voices I’ve heard in a long time! She had the audience cheering on a couple of her high notes! Since she’s the V of the P, her costume is a blue coverall – to show she’s a blue collar girl - but unbuttoned enough to show off a sequined red bra. I found myself watching her singing backup more than I watched some of the ‘named’ characters.
The story is told by Joe Biden (Chad Doreck), based on what he actually remembers. Doreck, who wears a permanently toothy smile. was a little young to be playing Joe Biden, but he was so good at slapstick no one cared.
At the center of the story, is the 44th President of the United States, Barach Obama (T.J. Wilkins). Wilkins plays Obama with quiet dignity – and he can sing as he demonstrates in Red States Blue States, and How Black Is Too Black.
Michelle Obama (Shanice) doesn’t make her entrance until midway through the first act singing First Lady. Her voice blew me away!
Hilary Clinton (Kelly Felthous) was the favorite to win the nomination until an almost unknown Senator announced his candidacy. She was understandably upset when he won the nomination. Her song, My Turn, expressing her frustration, is hilarious.
In opposition, Mitch McConnell (Larry Cedar) calls together a group of white, hetero men he dubs W.H.A.M. His number one toady is Ted Cruz (Michael Uribes), a guy who is so loathsome everybody hates him, demonstrated in a song called F.U.T.C. Carrying a tiny parasol, Lindsey Graham (Jeff Sumner) joins the group in plotting against Obama.
When Sarah Palin (Summer Collins) joins the group, she strips off her business suit to bum and grind her way across the stage singing Drill Me Baby. I’m not even sure why she would be included in this story, since her short-lived political star had already fallen. When Herman Cain (Dino Shorté) was invited to W.H.A.M. meetings, he wasn’t sure why he was even there. When he dared to ask why Sarah Palin was there, since she didn’t exactly fit into the M. group, someone was quick to point out that he didn’t exactly fit the W. Shorté brought down the house with his rendition of Herman Cain
Also appearing - Brother Abe Lincoln (Jevon McFerrin) – and I can’t begin to explain him.
44 – THE MUSICAL was written, composed and directed by Eli Bauman, produced by Bauman and Monica Saunders-Weinberg. It had a short run in Chicago during the Democratic Convention, then they took it to California for some fine-tuning. The show is going to New York in October.
44 – THE MUSICAL runs through September 21st at The Studebaker Theater in the Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan, Chicago. Discounted parking is available in the Grant Park South garage.
Running time was approximately 2 hours, 45 minutes. Performances: Tuesdays & Wednesdays at 7:30 pm; Thursday (September 18th ONLY) at 7:30 pm; Fridays at 7:30 pm; Saturdays at 2:30 & 7:30 pm; Sundays at 2:30 pm. Tickets range: $44-$128.50. FYI www.44theobamamusical.com/tickets.