R&B/pop singer Shanice Wilson-Knox looks up to First Lady Michelle Obama. Having the chance to reprise her role as the first African American first lady in “44: The Unofficial Unsanctioned Obama Musical” is a tad bit nerve-wracking.
Don’t expect the South Pasadena native to imitate her, however.
“I’m telling the story through music and through song,” said Wilson-Knox, best known for her song “I Love Your Smile.”
“One thing I do know is she’s a strong woman. She’s nurturing. I knew I had to be nurturing. She’s a strong Black woman. Some people, when they play a person, they talk like them and walk like them. I didn’t do that.”
The musical satire returns to the Bourbon Room Hollywood for 20 shows from Wednesday, Oct. 11, to Saturday, Nov. 18, with T.J. Wilkins of “The Voice” starring as Barack Obama.
“It’s crazy,” Wilson-Knox said. “When we did the run earlier this year, Stevie Wonder and Wanda Sykes and so many others came to support the cast. The feedback we’ve gotten from everyone has been really good. I love the cast. I love Eli Bauman. He’s a genius, and I’m just honored to be a part of it.”
Wilkins, who dates Wilson-Knox’s cousin, is a star, she said.
“He’s kind of my cousin, which is crazy,” she added with a laugh.
“He’s so good. He sings his butt off. He’s super talented, and when I heard he was playing Barack, that sealed the deal for me. The whole entire cast is great. I couldn’t ask for a better cast.”
The brainchild behind “44” is Eli Bauman, a former Obama campaign organizer and TV writer, who penned the music, lyrics and book. He also serves as director.
His father, Sha Na Na’s Jon “Bowzer” Bauman,” co-wrote some of the songs.
“His father, oh my gosh, he’s such a good human being,” Wilson-Knox said of Jon Bauman. “He comes to our rehearsals. He gives us notes. He’s there supporting his son. They’re really cool people.
“My husband (comedian Flex Alexander) is a big fan, too. When he met Bowzer, he got a picture with him. As a kid he used to watch him on TV.”
Wilson-Knox said “44” is the perfect antidote to what’s ailing the world.
“Right now, there’s so much chaos going on — we’re getting over a pandemic, we talk about politics, and everybody has their opinions. A lot of times, people stop speaking to each other because of it,” she explained.
“It gets crazy. This is the thing. The reason why I did this show is the comedy. It’s a fun way to talk about politics without picking a side. When I was approached about doing it, I didn’t know if I was going to do it. I don’t like when people start arguing about politics. When I heard the music and the comedy, I loved it.”
The performer said the musical touches the audience’s heart and makes them want to “cry, laugh, sing and — at some point — dance.”
“The songs are so catchy that you’re unable to get them out of your head,” she said.
The story of the Obamas’ romance struck Wilson-Knox. She said it is often overlooked by the media.
“In the White House, we never see them as a married couple and what it was like, possibly, between the two of them being romantic,” she said. “I’m sure they’ve had their conflicts. This shows the more human side of Michelle and Barack.”
Wilson-Knox is a South Pasadena High School graduate and still swears by the city today.
“I’m still friends with some of my friends from back in the ’90s,” she said. “There are really good people in South Pasadena. I have a lot of love for Pasadena.
“When we were teenagers, before school would start, we went to this burger restaurant (Hi-Life) to get chili cheese fries and eat that for breakfast. Just recently, we went to South Pasadena High School and they let us walk around the campus. We went to the burger restaurant we used to go to as teenagers.”
Wilson-Knox loves to return to South Pasadena as much as audience members adore “44.”
“I have people tell me, ‘This is my eighth time coming’ or ‘This is my 10th time coming.’ All I can say is, ‘Wow’ and ‘Thank you.’”
“44: The Unofficial Unsanctioned Obama Musical”
WHEN: Various times Wednesday, Oct. 11, to Saturday, Nov. 18
WHERE: Bourbon Room Hollywood, 6356 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles
COST: Tickets start at $45
INFO: 44obamamusical.com or bourbonroomhollywood.com