“Tootsie” (Milwaukee) reviewed by Amy Menzel

*** I expected a lot of sparkle, but this production was kind of like one of those color-changing sequin pillows that’s so popular with tweenage girls these days – the kind that alternates between a flashy surface and a matte surface depending on how you play with it. There was some razzle dazzle, but this show often felt underwhelming.

Tootsie, based on the 1982 film starring Dustin Hoffman, is about Michael Dorsey, a struggling actor who takes a surprising risk to land a role. He gets the gig, but…well, not everything goes as planned. His roommate Jeff (played by Jared David Michael Grant) sums it up best in the first number of the second act and this is when the show takes a bit of an upswing. The first act is uneven at best. The timing was off Tuesday night; spotlights were slow and dialogue was often delivered too quickly, causing lines to land awkwardly. Payton Reilly is a welcomed comedic constant throughout, however. She plays Sandy, the big-hearted, less talented, fellow actor friend whose frantic antics bring laughs from beginning to end. And Ashley Alexandra is another bit of sparkle in this show. As Michael’s love interest, Julie, she brings heart to this production, especially through her powerful vocal performance.

Overall, however, this production is a tale of two halves. The second act is notably stronger than the first. Laughs were more abundant as the show went on and I even heard a genuine snort of laughter. Still, this wasn’t strong enough to produce a satisfying evening.

This is the last opportunity to see Broadway Across America at the Marcus Center this season. Tootsie runs now through Sunday, June 11.

The remaining standard tickets start at $40 and can be purchased at marcuscenter.org. (There are some verified resale tickets available for less.)

★★★

Wednesday – 7:30 p.m.
Thursday – 7:30 p.m.
Friday – 8 p.m.
Saturday – 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Sunday – 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.

Tootsie runs 2 hours and 35 minutes with one intermission.

Folks looking ahead may want to check out tickets for the 2023-2024 Broadway Series at the Marcus Center. More information is available at https://www.marcuscenter.org/get-tickets/23-24-broadway-series/