From the creative mind of Paul Hodge comes “Clinton The Musical” based on real-life events in American politics that don’t mean to be funny. For some writers, writing a parody about politics come easy as reporting them for what they are. Literary journalism at its best, humor is often accidental because the parody writes itself. Based on this review by the New York Times, the humor transcended into musical theater creating another off-Broadway.
Featuring a cast to present this side of American political history in tongue-in-cheek manner complete with song-and-dance numbers, “Clinton The Musical” hopes to explore the double like that the former president Clinton allegedly led. One where’s noble, diplomatically charming and swelling with statesmanship and another where he’s a raunchy, fun-loving guy swelling with, um, manhood.
TheaterPizzazz.com managed to interview some members of the cast of “Clinton The Musical” after one of their sneak previews. While it is easy to assume what could possibly happen in the plot, re-imagining it as a musical is a challenge since the interviews gathered are, for the large part, spoiler-free.
Tom Galantich shared the experience of playing WJ Clinton (not Bill, as you will read further). Could there be something about the former president that he can relate with here at “Clinton The Musical”?
I’m from the East Coast. He’s from Arkansas. No, probably not very close at all. I would say the interaction between myself, Kerry and my co-heart, Duke [Lafoon], the play between us is really a mix of fun.
Kerry Butler, while being no stranger to comedy musicals like “Hairspray” and “Little Shop of Horrors”, admitted that the role of Hilary Rodham Clinton is very much different from the roles that she used to play on musical theater. The level of research she infused into the role is understandable since “Clinton The Musical” may be a parody but there must be something true in the heart of the parody version of Hilary. Besides she ended up enjoying other characters’ numbers too.
She’s so far from the parts I normally play. I loved researching her and learning all about her and I’m like reading tons of books. It’s been exciting learning about her, learning about Eleanor Roosevelt. She loves Eleanor Roosevelt.
Butler had a lot of fun at “Clinton The Musical” that she admitted that some of her favorite parts featured Kevin Zak’s numbers that presented the parody version of the prosecutor Kenneth Starr.
My favorite parts of the show were actually other people’s parts. I love Kenneth Starr. He has an amazing number.
An interesting character in “Clinton The Musical” is Billy Clinton, which explained best the split personality that the former president has managed to imprint in the public consciousness. 2 personalities so distinct, they might as well be separate characters. Duke Lafoon managed to explain concisely what his role is as Billy Clinton.
I’m the bad boy, too much fun. I’m having the time of my life. The human side of Bill Clinton. I think we all have that side that we try to rise above.
Now Eleanor Roosevelt is included as a character here at “Clinton The Musical” with her only connection to the story as Hilary’s icon. The fact that the same actress, Judy Gold, played the former first lady and, for the most part, Monica’s treacherous confidante Linda Tripp, may or may not have anything to do with Hilary herself. She found things that she could relate to Tripp though.
[Eleanor] She’s really an icon. And Linda, it was interesting because when I just started, you know, when they added Linda in the script, I thought I wanted to know about her. And we’ve had similarities, unfortunately. She grew up in New Jersey. She was big, you know. She was teased. Trying to get into these people’s psyches, it’s so difficult. I’m dancing. Who knew?
Kenneth Starr is the investigator that wrote “The Ken Starr Report” that almost forced the Clinton Administration to an impeachment trial. But one of the vocal opponents of the Clntons that managed to ride on the scandal was Newt Gingrich. Yes, he’s a character incuded in “Clinton The Musical”. John Treacy Egan knew the responsibility that comes with playing him.
It’s very interesting because, um, you know, there’s a lot of controversy with Newt Gingrich. And I have to say I did a concert the other night in an event and I announced that “I’m in a rehearsal for Clinton [The Musical]. I play Newt Gingrich”. And the room erupted in laughter. I’m Kenneth Starr’s sidekick on this one.
And then Monica Lewinsky. She is the woman that almost broke the internet a few weeks ago for appearing on TED Talks to discuss cyber-bullying. Veronica Kuehn shared her thoughts about playing Monica. Psyching herself up for playing the former White House intern can be challenging.
We’re approaching it from a place of love. And that’s … the lot of the jokes are actually sort of tender in that I’m exploring it – the relationship that she had with him in complete sincerity. I think about when I was twenty, when I was 22 and maybe some of the inappropriate feelings I’ve had for people who were not necessarily older, although some older.
The director/choreographer Dan Knectges was all praises for the cast of “Clinton The Musical”. He also admitted handling this production in a way that is partly influenced by public perception at the height of the scandal especially when public sympathy was high for Hilary.
You know, the actors, they do something funny and I just roll over with laughter. It’s been a pleasure, catatonic for the winner. Monica Lewinsky thing happened. I was very influenced by parents who said “How could she stay with him?” All of this and there’s a section of the show that sort of explains why.
The official 2015 off-Broadway run for “Clinton The Musical” has started last April 9, 2015 and still going strong at the New World Stages Theater. So the tickets for the next months can only be available for so long. Grab some tickets for you and for your friends the soonest time that you can by calling, 212-239-6200 or by clicking here. Enjoy “The Ken Starr Report” all over again, this time with song-and-dance numbers. For more updates, visit the official website of “Clinton The Musical”.
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