'Ghost of John McCain' review — a phantom of a political satire
Read our review of Ghost of John McCain off Broadway, a new musical created by Scott Elmegreen Drew Fornarola, running at SoHo Playhouse through November 10.
About halfway through Ghost of John McCain, the new musical satire from book writer Scott Elmegreen and songwriter Drew Fornarola, Hillary Clinton — well, a version of her that terrorizes Donald Trump’s thoughts — spends an entire song lambasting the late John McCain and others’ part in paving the way for Trump’s political career. Again and again and again, she trills, “I told you so!” To what degree this appeals to you will gauge of how much you'll get out of the show.
The song comes off as either funny or smug, either a mocking jab at liberal self-righteousness or a sincere response from anti-Trumpers, but it doesn’t land as both. That song, like much of the show, doesn’t contain the complexity to toggle between the two feelings with grace. Furthermore, John McCain — the Republican senator from Arizona who ran for president in 2008 and voted against alternative minimum tax, Medicare expansion, and universal healthcare — is the voice of reason and the moral center of the show. Ghost occasionally feels indecisive about how seriously it wants to take its material as a lesson on power, obsession, and projection.
Intermittently, there is a glimmer of insight. In its stronger moments, Ghost of John McCain attempts to examine how and why many modern voters search for the politician in whom they can find themselves. This grab at insight also poses more pressing questions about the relationship between personal advancement and convenience, and democracy and tyranny, but Ghost seems more set on throwing comedic darts than mining wholly formed takeaways about our sociopolitical culture.
The show also doesn't quite succeed as a free-for-all look into Trump’s mind, and it therefore fails to nail either the likely liberal-leaning audience’s political anxiety or comedic sensibilities. That's a letdown when the cast is as talented as it is. From Zonya Love’s honeyed voice to Ben Fankhauser’s silky vocal runs, and Luke Kolbe Mannikus's entertaining turn as a perpetually adolescent Trump, one wishes the cast had sharper material with more thoughtful jokes.
There’s a potential version of Ghost of John McCain that’s closer to the incisiveness of a 30 Rock or maybe a Veep, but in neither the book nor the lyrics is there the rigor that could make the current show go from an intrusive thought to a steaming train.
Ghost of John McCain summary
Newly deceased John McCain, sporting a clean white suit and suitcase, thinks he’s arrived at the gates of heaven. His bubble bursts when a rogue’s gallery of politicians and political-adjacent figures — like Teddy Roosevelt, Roy Cohn, Hillary Clinton, Lindsay Graham, Taylor Swift, and Joe Biden — notify the late Senator that he's actually trapped in Donald Trump’s brain.
Fashioned like a “three-star hotel,” this psychological purgatory leads the ghost of John McCain to try to mold Trump into the president McCain wishes he had been, through song, dance, and a political debate involving Plato and others.
What to expect at Ghost of John McCain
In the opening number, after the various caricatured politicos step on stage, there is also a performer in a hamburger suit. Later in the show, the COVID virus and Donald Trump’s brain also make an appearance, jazz hands in tow. Ghost of John McCain leans into a kind of absurdist dream humor, with McCain refusing to sign a contract declaring Trump the best president. Meanwhile, passing references to Les Misérables, Cats, and The Phantom of the Opera bounce around Trump’s subconscious.
What audiences are saying about Ghost of John McCain
At the time of publication, on the review aggregator Show-Score, Ghost of John McCain received an 82% approval rating compiled from 16 audience reviews. Audience responses were mixed, with praise for the show's concept and performances.
- “Creative, funny, and engaging play that offers a fresh perspective on political satire.” - Show-Score user Marco
- “Must see, if you need to feel your feelings and laugh about the state of the country.” - Show-Score user Sandy Gooen
- “The cast were the saving grace! They worked their butts off for 90 minutes straight. Very talented. [...] The songs were very remedial and honestly nothing to them. The book was just a mess that was hard to follow.” - Show-Score user DidTheThing
Read more audience reviews of Ghost of John McCain on Show-Score.
Who should see Ghost of John McCain
- Fans of Jason Tam’s performance as Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar Live on NBC should check out his performance as the late John McCain.
- Anyone who has ever learned that Donald Trump is a fan of Evita will enjoy the Former First Lady of Argentina’s appearance and numerous other musical references.
- Those who loved Zonya Love in The Color Purple will get to see her stretch her comedic chops, as she plays numerous characters throughout Ghost of John McCain.
Learn more about Ghost of John McCain
Ghost of John McCain’s satire intermittently gestures at a more compelling show, one about the relationship between political legacy, the public, and the subconscious, but comedy is too broad and superficial. The cast's enthusiasm warrants a nod, even if the material underserves their talents. If only this ghost weren’t so hazy.
Photo credit: Ghost of John McCain off Broadway. (Photos by Evan Zimmerman for MurphyMade)
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