Tootsie, the Comedy Musical, which opened its national tour right here in Buffalo, is laugh-out-loud funny in every way a musical can be.
by Ann Marie Cusella
Tootsie at Shea’s Performing Arts Center shows until Saturday, October 16th, 2021
Everything a Comedy Musical Should Be
Tootsie, the Comedy Musical, which opened its national tour here, is laugh out loud funny in every way a musical can be. It is hard to know where to begin to describe the madness. Based on the Dustin Hoffman movie from 1982, this version has been updated for 21st Century sensibilities, and instead of a soap opera, uses a stage musical as the vehicle for Michael Dorsey’s transformation to Dorothy. Tootsie was nominated for 11 Tony awards in 2019. David Yazbek was nominated for Best Book and Lyrics. Robert Horn won for Best Book of a Musical. If there was an award for Highest Audience Laughter Level, it would have won hands down.
The set up – Michael Dorsey is a 40-year-old man employed as a waiter who believes wholeheartedly in theater, but even more in his own importance as an actor, and as a result has alienated every director in New York. In his latest exit from a production, he is fired by the even more self-important director, Ron Carlisle. Michael has the bright idea to dress as a woman and audition for the part of Juliet’s nurse in Carlisle’s new musical, Juliet’s Curse, wherein Juliet rises from the dead and then falls in love with… In other words, a very bad musical. His former, extremely neurotic girlfriend, Sandy, who makes unusual fashion choices, also auditions for the part. Does Michael get the part? You bet – as Dorothy Michaels, a woman of a certain age who is “built like a tractor.” Does it go well? Not in the least.
A Tribute to, and Criticism of, the World of Theater
Tootsie is an affectionate send-up of musicals and the people who devote their lives to theater, from over-the-top medieval costumes that in the blink of an eye become 1950s nightclub wear, to silly choreography and narcissistic actors and directors, while at the same time celebrating those whose dreams, disappointments, and triumphs make up the very fabric of musical theater. And did I mention that it is so funny, even Scrooge would break into gales of laughter? I think so.
The lyrics and dialogue fly from one clever bon mot to another, with barely a breath in between. Sandy’s song “What’s Gonna Happen” about the angst in preparing for an audition is a hoot. Peyton Reilly kills it. Max Van Horn, the dim bulb beefcake reality show hunk turned actor played with clueless wonder by Lukas James Miller, has very active pecs and his own peculiar take on dialogue. Jared David Michael Grant as Michael’s buddy, Jeff, has some of the best lines and a deadpan delivery that is a riot. His song, “Jeff Sums It Up” is one of the funniest.
More praise for Tootsie
Drew Becker as Michael/Dorothy is not only totally believable as a middle-aged woman, but has great legs, too. His love interest, Julie, played by Ashley Alexandra has a lovely song, “There Was John”, about love lost to follow one’s dreams. She is the most down-to-earth character, and Ms. Alexandra allows her sweetness to shine. She is at the heart of the message that Tootsie ultimately leaves with us.
The very, very important Director, Ron Carlisle is played to the hilt by Adam Du Plessis, as a smarmy lech whose pursuit of female actors is notorious. After all, he’s “had numerous wives, some of them my own.”
And mention must be made that WNYs own Dominique Kempf is part of the ensemble, and has the role of Suzie, Julie’s friend and a backup singer for her nightclub song, “Gone, Gone, Gone.” It was delightful to see her on stage at Shea’s and her performance made it very clear that she belongs there with the best of them.
Tootsie, at Shea’s for a Limited Time, is Must-See
What else is there to say? Tootsie is clever, witty, and so funny you cannot help but feel happy leaving the theater. With everyone in the theater vaccinated and wearing masks, a reminder of what we’re all going through, it was wonderful to laugh out loud and hear everyone around laughing, too.
Kudos to everyone involved in the production.
Dates, Tickets and More Information
Tootsie at Shea’s Performing Arts Center shows until Saturday, October 16th, 2021.
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