Obama Musical Comedy ’44’ Coming To New York After Hit, Star-Packed Engagements In Chicago And Los Angeles

EXCLUSIVE: 44 – The Musicala satirical comedy about “the rise and presidency of Barack Obama, as well as the eccentric political characters he met along the way,” will follow up sold-out, celebrity-packed runs in Chicago and Los Angeles with a stand in New York’s Off Broadway this fall.

Lead producers Eli Bauman and Monica Saunders-Weinberg announced today that the musical comedy will play The Daryl Roth Theatre for a limited eight-week engagement beginning previews on Tuesday, October 14 with an official press opening scheduled for Thursday, November 6.

Casting is to be announced at a later date.

Written, composed, directed and lead produced by Eli Bauman – he’s the son of Jon “Bowzer” Bauman of Sha Na Na – 44 promises to tell “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.”

An early political organizer for Obama, Bauman coordinated Veteran’s Affairs for Obama’s 2009 Inaugural Committee and later interned for ABC’s Special Investigative Unit, where, he boasts, he was shoved by disgraced bamboozler Bernie Madoff. More recently, Later, Baurman transitioned back to an early interest in scripted television, writing episodes of FX’s Lights Out and NBC’s Prime Suspect, before moving onto variety television, including the Emmy’s, the ESPY’s, the Emmy nominated ACLU: Stand For Rights with Tom Hanks and the Writer’s Guild Award nominated Maya and Marty with Maya Rudolph and Martin Short.

Last year when 44 – The Musical quickly proved to be a highly sought-after show in Los Angeles during its return engagement at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in spring 2025. Initially announced for 4 weeks, demand was so strong that it extended another 8 weeks, becoming the highest grossing show in venue history. The musical drew a consistently starry crowd, with celebrity attendees including Stevie Wonder, Martin Short, Larry David, Congressman Adam Schiff, Martin Lawrence, Cheyenne Jackson, Wanda Sykes, Charlamagne Tha God, Tobey Maguire, Dionne Warwick, Bill Burr, Vivica A. Fox, Warren G and members of The Red Hot Chili Peppers, among many others.

44 is produced in association with Anthony “Brew” Brewster, Steve McKeever (Hidden Beach Recordings), Conrad Bauer, and Shanice & Kerry Gordy. The music director is Anthony “Brew” Brewster with choreography by Miss James Alsop.