The production will run to March 21. Obama was previously workshopped at Baron's Court Theatre last year.
According to press materials, "Celebrating the election and inauguration of America's first black President, Obama On My Mind takes a humorous look at the weird and wonderful world behind the scenes of a small Obama campaign office and the larger than life characters who make the wheels turn, the cogs whirr and bring in the votes. Pop, gospel, jazz and soft rock come together in a politically inspired romp featuring over 11 loyal, obsessive and downright peculiar personalities, striving to get their man into the White House."
In a press statement from author Hayes, he said, "The process of electing a President is very different from Britain. It's a long 15-month campaign with a lot of back-biting and conflict as the campaign impacts on personal lives and vice versa." He was inspired to write the show by the prospect of "his man" winning. Hayes is best known as the author of the Harlem-based "Devil Barnett" series of detective novels. He has previously produced the musical The Baskerville Beast, a musical adaptation of Dickens' "Great Expectations".
The show is directed by Tim McArthur, who is also responsible for the musical staging, and features musical direction by Chris Jerome. McArthur's previous directorial credits include Casanova (Greenwich Playhouse and King's Head), Coloured Lights, Merman at the Jermyn, Jack the Ripper, Silver Heaven, Sex, Love & Retro-Femininity and Euro-magic-Vision (all at Jermyn Street Theatre), the European premiere of Jack Heifner's Seduction (Baron's Court Theatre & New York International Festival) and Waterloo Angel (Theatre Museum). Jerome is a pianist and arranger, presently working as keyboard player for celebrated jazz saxophonist Courtney Pine. He has also worked with the legendary African band Osibisa, as well as Maxi Jazz, lead vocalist for the rock group Faithless. He created the soundtrack with samba legend Martinho Da Vila for the feature film "That Samba Thing" and created soundtracks for the films "Her Name Was Amy Tillman" and "Da Block". As musical director, Jerome has arranged the score for the musical The Baskerville Beast.
Soul singer and R&B diva Ruby Turner — featured in Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra's latest CD "The Informer" — has recorded the title track, which can be heard on the show's website. She does not, however, appear in the cast. The full company follows: Ellen Verenieks, Nicholas Drake, Kay Milborne, Rhys Owen, Rian Perle, Simon McIntyre, Jackie Skarvellis, Christopher Dingli, Victoria Croft, Jamie McMillan and Lauren Appleby.
To book tickets contact the box office at 020 7704 2001 or visit www.obamamusical.com.
