Obama STILL On Our Mind

By Suzy Evans in Arts & Entertainment on Mar 3, 2009 8:30PM

America may have called him President first, but England beat us to making him into a musical. That’s right folks, the Obama musical, Obama On My Mind, starts performances tonight in London at the Hens and Chickens Theatre. What will they think of next?

Written by Teddy Hayes -- an American crime writer who lives in London -- the musical is a campy behind-the-scenes look at the Obama campaign. The show is set a week after the Republican convention and takes full comedic advantage of Governor Sarah Palin’s VP appointment. In the show’s press release, Hayes calls the musical style “urban mosaic” because he mixes a variety of musical styles, including pop, gospel, jazz and soft rock. You can listen to the title track, “Obama On My Mind” on Hayes’ website. It’s actually kind of catchy.

The show premiered last October in a sold-out workshop production at the Baron’s Court Theatre, also in London, making it the first musical about arguably the most famous Chicagoan. Kenya also premiered Obama, The Musical in early November. However, that show focused on the life of Barack Obama, while Obama On My Mind keeps its focus on the election.

What we want to know is: Why does London have a Barack Obama musical before Chicago does? In fact,, the States are all about political figures in the theater! Chicago’s stage is dominated by Blagojevich and Broadway is still hung up on George W. Bush. Maybe a singing and dancing Obama would help out America’s attitude.

If you happen to be going to London before March 21, you can buy tickets online. Otherwise, check out the video after the jump for a little taste.