In 1982, Dustin Hoffman showed
the world that you can dress up as a woman if you need to take drastic measures
just to get an acting job in New York City. Now, flash forward 37 years later,
the theme of a man doing a woman’s job by dressing up as one really never gets
old.
Adapted from the hit film which starred
Hoffman, the new musical comedy Tootsie
arrives on Broadway with a new twist. Unlike in the film, which focused on a
soap opera, this musical instead centers on a new Broadway musical (based on
Romeo & Juliet) and the theater business itself. As a person who has seen
the movie a lot, I’m shocked and surprised to say that this sweet valentine to
these hard-working actors of musical theatre is more funnier and hysterical
than the film that it was adapted from.
When we first see Michael Dorsey (Santino
Fontana, doing Hoffman’s role), he has a tough reputation as one of the most
toughest actors ever to work with in the theatre, which causes him to get fired
from an Off-Broadway show and being rejected from so many auditions. He even
loses the support of his agent, Stan Fields (Michael McGrath), as a result. So,
in last-minute desperation, he disguises himself as a woman (assuming the name
of Dorothy Michaels in the process) and gets the job after a successful
audition.
Michael (as Dorothy) then joins the cast
of a new musical, Juliet’s Curse, as
Juliet’s nurse. In the rehearsal/preview process, he adds some creative input
into the show, which helps turns it to be a better and improved musical than
before when it was first developed. He also starts a friendship with his
co-star, Julie Nichols (Lilli Cooper, in the role that Jessica Lange won her
first Oscar for). But, there one’s problem. Michael soon has romantic feelings
for Julie. But, as Dorothy, they’re co-workers and best pals. Another issue is
the fact that Dorothy is trying to hide her real identify (Michael) from
others, except Mike’s roommate and playwright Jeff (Andy Grotelueschen) who is
already aware of it. But can Michael/Dorothy maintain this masquerade by the
time opening night arrives? Well, fellow reader, that’s for me to know and you
to find out.
With this and his other musical this
season (the stunning revival of Kiss Me
Kate), director Scott Ellis has excel himself into one of the most
top-notch directors of musical comedy alongside Casey Nicholaw (The Prom, Aladdin) and Jerry Zaks (the revivals of Hello Dolly and the upcoming Music
Man). The laugh-filled book by Robert Horn is faithful to the movie while
adapting it to today’s standards. Composer David Yazbek (fresh off his success
with the just-closed Band Visit)
gives a sophisticated New York favor to his first-rate score. David Rockwell’s
sets and Donald Holder’s lighting design adds a spunk of pizazz to the show’s
Manhattan setting while William Ivey Long’s costumes are dazzling, especially
when worn by the show’s title role.
Speaking of which, Fontana (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Frozen) is a comic wonder to behold
playing both Michael and Dorothy. He doesn’t try to photocopy Hoffman’s
performance, but he leaves his own mark filling in the shoes (or in this case,
heels) of an iconic legendary character ever to grace the big screen in the
80’s. Cooper (last seen in Spongebob on
Broadway) makes a fine impression as Julie and Grotelueschen is very good as
Jeff (which Bill Murray played on screen). Not to be counted out, I also
enjoyed the supporting cast, among them are McGrath, John Behlmann (as a
co-star who has a crush on Dorothy), Reg Rodgers (playing the show’s director)
and Julie Halston (as the show’s lead producer). But a special mention must be
made to actress Sarah Stiles, who plays Michael’s ex-girlfriend and actress
Sandy. Stiles steals the show with sheer comic timing and excellent charisma.
With this performance, she may be a sure thing for the Tony Award for Best
Featured Actress in a musical this year, if she gets nominated.
For those who haven’t seen the film, this
is still a riotous blast that is loaded with big laughs. For me, it’s the most
fun I ever had at a musical comedy since Kiss
Me Kate and The Book of Mormon.
Whatever gender you are, you’ll definitely relate to this new twist of this
classic tale of a man doing a woman’s job.
The
Buzz on Tootsie:
Rating:
***1/2
Bottom
Line: A hysterical musical comedy that’s surprisingly funnier than the
movie that it was adapted from. With the show’s title role, Santino Fontana is
now one of the most funniest leading men (or ladies) on the Broadway stage.
Recommended
Best for: Ages 13 and up. Contains adult situations and language.
Playing
at: The Marquis Theatre, located upstairs on the third floor of the Marriot
Marquis Hotel on 210 West 46th Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues) for an
open-ended run. For tickets, go to ticketmaster.com, todaytix.com/x/nyc or call
877-250-2929.
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