The musical-comedy romp centered on the historic election of former President Barack Obama will make its strategy to New York Metropolis, taking part in off-Broadway this fall after profitable runs in Los Angeles and Chicago.
The aptly titled “44” — written, composed and directed by former Obama marketing campaign staffer Eli Bauman — is scheduled to start a restricted eight-week engagement at The Daryl Roth Theatre on Oct. 14, producers introduced Friday.
Tickets go on sale Aug. 4, with a particular $44 seat promotion to rejoice the forty fourth president’s sixty fourth birthday.
Tracing “the rise and presidency of Barack Obama, as well as the eccentric political characters he met along the way,” the award-winning satire is described by producers as “the story of Obama you won’t read about in history books because history books are now banned in most states. But also, because ’44’ is the story of Obama as Joe Biden kinda sorta remembers it.”
A workshop manufacturing of “44” — subtitled “The (un)Official, (un)Sanctioned Obama Musical” — performed to packed audiences throughout a four-show engagement final June at Racket NYC.
Actor and singer T.J. Wilkins, a season six standout from “The Voice,” starred as Barack Obama, whereas R&B hitmaker Shanice portrayed Michelle Obama. As Biden, famend voice actor Chad Doreck rounded out the solid, which additionally included Kevin Bailey, Larry Cedar, Marqell Edward Clayton, Kelley Dorney, and Summer season Nicole Greer taking part in many notable figures within the Obama orbit circa 2008.
Bauman, the son of Sha Na Na singer Jon “Bowzer” Bauman, served as an early political organizer for Obama in Las Vegas and went on to coordinate Veterans Affairs for the president-elect’s 2009 Inaugural Committee.
Initially Printed: August 1, 2025 at 1:14 PM EDT
