Summary

NAME: KEN MUSICAL 20081103E TAPE: EF08/1107 IN_TIME: 10:10:09:13 DURATION: 00:03:31:08 SOURCES: AP TELEVISION DATELINE: Nairobi, 2 Nov 2008 RESTRICTIONS: Check shotlist for details SHOTLIST: music/video/performance rights must be cleared AP Television Nairobi, Kenya, 2 Nov 2008 1. Various shots of actors on stage performing in 'Obama the Musical' (which tells the story of US presidential candidate Barack Obama) 2. SOUNDBITE: (English) George Orido, Director of 'Obama the Musical': "What inspired me to do 'Obama the Musical', is the great message of hope and peace and unifying people that Obama himself preaches and I think Kenyans need that message so that we unite around those messages." 3. Wide of actors performing 4. Mid of actor playing Obama, Eric Makori, speaking on stage 5. Actors clapping 6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Eric Makori, Actor: "It feels great, it feels wonderful to play the Barack Obama role because, first of all, he is my role model and he is someone who inspires me, to change the world just like he does." 7. Various shots of performance featuring actor Paul Njoroge Kamau playing the part of Republican presidential candidate John McCain, and actor John Nguge playing the role of US President George W. Bush 8. SOUNDBITE: Paul Njoroge Kamau, Actor playing McCain: "It is kind of hard, tricky, me being a black guy playing McCain's part, but the message that I am trying to give to the audience is to show them who McCain really is, the guy who hits below the belt, he is a tough fighter." 9. Various shots of 'Obama the Musical' 10. Various of audience leaving theatre 11. Tilt up of posters advertising 'Obama the Musical' 12. SOUNDBITE: (English) Kepha Dina, audience member: (Reporter's Q: "If you were an American who would you vote for?") "If I were an American I would vote for Barack Obama, this is simply because of his policies." 13. Wide of stage, actors taking bow, tilt down to audience STORYLINE: OBAMA MUSICAL PREMIERES IN NAIROBI In two days, US presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and John McCain will go head to head in the race for the Whitehouse, but in a separate event, the Democrat and the Republican shared the stage in a new musical that opened in the Kenyan capital on Sunday (02 NOV 2008). 'Obama the Musical' tells of the challenges that Obama, who has Kenyan roots, has faced, just days before his possible election as America's first black president. During the premiere of the long awaited musical, actors portraying the two presidential contenders expressed their hopes, dreams and expectations in a unique message for Kenyans. US President George W. Bush also features in the hour-long musical, which director George Orido calls a "message of hope and peace." Eric Makori stars as Obama and says it's wonderful to play him because he's someone who inspires him to change the world. The show uses a variety of musical genres, including traditional and contemporary Kenyan music, in which the lyrics have been changed to suit the storyline. The play ends with an enactment of Obama's acceptance of the Democratic nomination, but shies away from predictions about who will emerge victorious in the election.