November 2, 2008 'Obama the Musical' Play video

(NECN: Kenya) - In two days, U.S. presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and John McCain will go head to head in the race for the White House, 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.

"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.

U.S. President George W. Bush is also featured in the hour-long musical, which director George Orido calls a "message of hope and peace."

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.