Now in previews at Off-Broadway’s Daryl Roth Theatre for a limited engagement of the new award-winning political satire 44 The Musical (which played to sold-out houses and critical acclaim in LA and Chicago), actor, singer, voiceover artist, voice teacher, and performance coach Jenna Pastuszek is delivering the laughs and the songs in the role of former First Lady, Senator, Secretary of State, and presidential candidate Hillary Clinton. The parodic show takes an irreverent look at the life, times, and administration of America’s 44th President Barack Obama, with book, music, and lyrics by Eli Bauman, a former Obama campaign staffer in Las Vegas, as Joe Biden, who served as Obama’s Vice President from 2009-17, “kinda sorta remembers it.”
The roster of lampooned real-life characters includes everyone from Michelle Obama to Sarah Palin, Mitch McConnell, Lindsey Graham, and Ted Cruz, performing a melting pot of original song and dance stylings of the era, backed by the House of Vibe band (here called “The Andrew Jackson Five”), and telling stories you can’t read in banned history books, with something to offend everyone, no matter which party or politicians you support.
Jenna answered my questions about the show before its official opening, cleverly set for November 11, a week after Election Day, when we might all need some no-holds-barred humor.
Can you tell us about the format and setting of the show?
Jenna: The setting of the show is 2008 – the year of the launch of the iPhone, the release of the Twilight Series, the debut of Sasha Fierce, and, oh yeah, just a little global financial crisis. It brings us back to better (more hopeful) times and possibly also reminds us that American politics have always been a sh*tshow. What’s beautiful about the show is that no matter where you fall on the political spectrum, you will laugh out loud at the absurdity of the cast of characters we find ourselves represented by.
How did you prepare for your role as Hillary Clinton?
I’ve been working on this show off and on over the past four years, and I’ve been lucky enough to get to play both Sarah Palin and Hillary, and also cover the two women who originated these roles (Jane Papageorge and Kelley Dorney). I’ve prepared for the 44 version of Hillary by watching and learning from Kelley and then layering in my own comedic flair. I also enjoyed listening to Hillary’s podcast You and Me Both (I highly recommend the Barbra Streisand episode).
Do you have a favorite song or line that you most enjoy performing?
Since Day 1 of the 29-hour reading of 44 I did in November 2021, I’ve gone to bed singing “He’s Motherf*cking Obama.” I promise if you come see the show, you’ll go to bed singing it too. It’s incredibly catchy!
What’s the most memorable reaction you’ve gotten so far?
We’ve done the show in LA, Chicago, Philly, and now NYC, and it’s amazing how differently each city reacts to the show and our cast of characters. My most memorable reaction has to be Dionne Warwick’s – she shook my hand and told me she very much enjoyed my Hillary, and I haven’t been the same since.
What do you hope audiences take away from the show?
As our director Eli says at the beginning of each show, I hope people can take away the belief that we can exist in the spirit of togetherness and finding and sharing joy. Musical theater should be fun. Coming to the theater should be a cathartic experience, and right now, we all need a good laugh more than ever.
Many thanks, Jenna, for sharing your insights with our readers; I look forward to seeing the show!
Running Time: Approximately two hours and 15 minutes, including an intermission.
44 The Musical plays through December 7, 2025, at the Daryl Roth Theatre, 101 E 15th Street, NYC. For tickets (priced at $93-202.50, including fees), go online, or find discount tickets at TodayTix.
