Ich Bin Ein Hope-Monger: Obama Musical Premieres in Germany

President Obama’s mojo may be so drained Democrats seem as though they’re about to lose a Senate race in Massachusetts, but last night in Frankfurt, Germany, at the venue Jahrhunderthalle, "HOPE – the Obama Musical Story" premiered.

The musical’s producers say it allows members of the audience to look behind the scenes of election 2008 and to follow the career of President Obama. “The main character is presented less on a political level, but rather as an emotional person who fights for a new, more forgiving and peaceful world and a better future,” says the musical’s website. “At the same time, the viewer experiences the societal events from the point of view of a multi-cultural apartment-sharing community in Chicago. Caused by the prevailing tight political and economic situation, societal and social frictions and emotions arise. The people are given new hope by the new spirit of the age.”

The characters include President and First Lady Obama, Michelle Obama’s mother Marian Robinson, Rev. Jeremiah Wright, Sen. John McCain, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former Gov. Sarah Palin, who sings "Ich bin ein Pitbull.” Songs are in both English and German.

Other characters include “Puerto Rican Ricardo who has had enough of politics, has lost his job and his home, finding accommodation with the African-American Johnson family, to the ultra conservative widow Mrs. Shultz of German origin and the committed African-American political activist Elaine Johnson – all of them are suddenly caught by a wave of hope for change.”

Some of the songs include Rock the Vote,  Help Somebody,  Hustler,  Look No Hands,  Am I Enough,  Chaos,  and of course Yes We Can.

Another musical based upon the 44th President, "Obama On My Mind",  shown in Seattle, Washington last Fall, tells the story of an odd gang Obama for America campaign workers in a small dealing with Palin entering the race causing Obama’s poll numbers to plummet.

'OBAMA ON MY MIND' Teddy Hayes – For more of the funniest videos, click here

Another musical, "Obama: The Musical,” was produced in Nairobi, Kenya, in 2008. Scriptwriter and director George Orido told the BBC  that "McCain comes in as the villain, the chief villain. His supporting cast are George Bush and Sarah Palin who are standing in Obama's way.”

“Obama” The Musical” also features a scene of the young Obama experimenting with illegal narcotics.

-jpt