Obama the musical? Ja we can

With its premiere tomorrow night in Frankfurt, the musical of the Obama story is more about hope than politics, writes DEREK SCALLYin Berlin

A YOUNG, DYNAMIC politician makes a daring run for the White House. His team builds a campaign around an optimistic slogan to which no one can object. Success is guaranteed.

But Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, and its slogans, “Yes We Can” and “Hope”, borrowed a team play from 1931.

Then the presidential campaign buzzword was "love" and the presidential hopeful, John P. Wintergreen, was the likable star of the Gershwin musical Of Thee I Sing.

The wicked political satire, written by George S Kaufman, introduced the song Who Could Ask For Anything More?and won that year's Pulitzer Prize for drama.

Tomorrow evening, things come full circle when the Barack Obama musical Hopepremieres in Frankfurt.

The brainchild of American composer and lyricist Randall Hitchins, he says his piece is not a political musical but an attempt to remind people of the longing for change for the better and the excitement Obama’s campaign generated.

“Obama represents a lot of opportunities for people everywhere,” said Mr Hitchins, “people who aren’t from rich families or good homes, that it is possible to reach things that you conceive in your mind if you have hope and work hard, things are possible.”

The Obama story is told through the lead characters as well as the residents of a multi-cultural apartment block in Chicago affected by the economic downturn.

Hopehas a lively cast of 30 Germany-based American performers and a score that runs the gamut from pop and soul to hip-hop and soaring gospel numbers headed by one of the Weather Girls, Dynelle Rhodes.

To give the show an interactive touch, producers have brought special seats into the Frankfurt venue enabling many of the audience to be percussionists for the evening.

A show like Hopehinges on its leading man and producers have found a charismatic singing Obama in the US musical performer Jimmie Wilson, a Detroit native who had his Broadway debut in the 1996 musical flop Sisterella, produced by Michael Jackson.

“I have to say that 2008 was the first time in my life that I voted. Obama won over people – voters and non-voters – to democracy,” says Wilson. “He is a real person of our time, everyone knows who he is and it’s an honour to play him on stage.”

As Obama, Wilson gets to sing many of the big numbers including Look No Handsand Yes We Can.

Unsurprisingly, his relationship with his wife Michelle is the centre-piece of the show. Using the healing power of song, the couple overcome their doubts and fears to confide in the audience: “I think we fit together like a hand inside a glove. I know this is no ordinary kind of love,” they sing.

Assisting them on stage is the rogues’ gallery of the 2008 campaign. John McCain is a sweaty Joe Cocker-type who sings “See you in November and I will play defender”. In an ill-fitting wig, Hillary Clinton sells herself as a competent White House veteran, promising: “I will be ready on day one.”

Even Sarah Palin, fresh from her new job in Fox News, flashes her jazz hands and rocks out with a group of go-go dancers.

Hopedirector Roberto Emmanuelle says his show stands out from other musicals because of its contemporary feel.

" Catsand Grease, they're all 30-year-old history at this stage whereas our piece addresses feelings and themes that are still relevant, like the banking crisis," he says. "We show how people were able to pull together. Barack Obama awakened a longing that was inside people for a long time, that's where his success comes from." Who could ask for anything more?

hope-musical.com

HOW'S JACK DOING? ALL THE PRESIDENTS' MUSICALS

Mr President (1962): Irving Berlin's last Broadway musical is about a president who loses his re-election bid after a trip to the Soviet Union. President Truman made a cameo appearance but was rushed to hospital with appendicitis during the interval. Songs include Empty Pockets Filled With Loveand The Washington Twist.

1600 Pennsylvania Avenue (1976): a legendary flop written by Leonard " West Side Story" Bernstein and Alan Jay Lerner of My Fair Ladyfame. A look at a century of presidents from 1800 to 1900, including Thomas Jefferson's affair with his African-American maid. Now occasionally performed as an operatic concert, White House Cantata. Songs include The Red, White and Blues.

JFK: A Musical Drama (1997) A witless flop by Will Holt and Tom Sawyer that had its world premiere at the Olympia in Dublin ahead of a promised Broadway opening. With a $1 million budget and an unintentionally hilarious assassination scene, the show closed after its two-month run. Songs include How's Jack Doing?