“44 the Musical” is a MAD Magazine version of recent political history as told by…Joe Biden?

The time has come, it seems, to take a look back at the presidency of our country’s first black President. Remembering the elections, the achievements, and the defeats of Barack Hussein Obama, with the support of his wife Michelle and the help of his Vice-President, Joe Biden, can only empower those who seek to make our nation the more perfect union envisioned by the Founding Fathers. So what better vehicle to do this than…buffoonery?

Have you ever read a MAD Magazine movie or TV parody, with half-corny, half-deadly-accurate dialogue and outrageous Jack Davis caricatures? Then you’re all set for 44 the Musical.

44 is the brainchild of Eli Bauman, son of Jon “Bowzer” Bauman of Sha Na Na fame. Eli is a triple threat here — writer, composer, and director of this fast-moving romp through the eight years of the Obama Presidency. The score, a whopping 22 original numbers plus “Amazing Grace”, leaves only a little room for dialogue. Then again, the songs carry most of the weight of the show’s plot, with the libretto useful for showing off the characters’ more outlandish sides. 

The cast is led by T.J. Wilkins as Barack and Shanice as Michelle. Chad Doreck acts as your host, Joe Biden, through whose not-quite-all-there memory the story is told. Summer Nicole Greer, with a high-volume, high-energy voice and delivery, performs many of the show’s songs as an ensemble character listed in the program as Voice of the People. Her power and range are a definite highlight of the show.

Much of the humor comes from the rest of the cast lampooning famous people. In alphabetical order, they are:  Larry Cedar (Mitch McConnell); Summer Collins (Sarah Palin); Evan Tyrone Martin (Brother Abe Lincoln); Dino Shorté (Herman Cain); Jeff Sumner (Lindsey Graham); understudy Chelsea Morgan Stock (Hillary Clinton); and Michael Uribes (Ted Cruz). The show’s lively choreography, with plenty of smooth moves and twerking, is the creation of Miss James Alsop (she/her).

Julio Himede has created a cartoonish version of the White House, complete with multiple doors (both obvious and hidden) and panels that swing out from the walls. WIth a few changes, it becomes the Oval Office, an after-hours bar, the Obamas’ living quarters, rallying spaces, and more. Matthew Hemesath’s costumes are bright and stylish, ranging from the men’s suits to Michelle’s high-fashion gowns to the bespangled jumpsuit worn by Voice of the People — and Lindsay Graham’s all-white suit and parasol!

For those who are offended by language, be warned: 44 the Musical doesn’t hold back. In fact, a refrain running through the show uses the phrase “Muthafukin’ Obama” 81 times (plus an additional 5 “Motherfuking Obama” occurrences). Several of the songs rely too much on repeating the song’s title in the lyrics. Based on the audience reactions at the performance I saw, 44 the Musical is a rousing good time in the theatre. If a good-hearted musical parody is just up your alley, I recommend you get on down to see the revisionist R&B history of 44 the Musical!

44 the Musical is presented at the Daryl Roth Theatre, 101 East 15th St., in New York through Jan. 4, 2026. For more information or to purchase tickets, go to 44theobamamusical.com.