“Tootsie” The musical

[rating=5]Another hit movie is being transformed into a musical. We have had “Ghost” the musical, “Pretty Woman” and a host of others, all getting their “jump-start” in Chicago thru “Broadway In Chicago. Now, we can add the wonderful Dustin Hoffman role of “Tootsie” ( a Larry Gelbart and Don McGuire film) as it plays to audiences at our Cadillac Palace Theatre. With music and lyrics by David Yazbek and a book by Robert Horn, this version of “Tootsie” is an amazing transformation. FYI, our hero/heroine, Michael/Dorothy ( a beautiful performance by Santino Fontana, who truly makes these characters his own) is now an actor on Broadway, instead of TV and instead of being in a soap opera, becomes the main character in a new Broadway musical telling us the tale of Juliette with Romeo’s brother after she has been saved by Dorothy’s character, the Nurse.

Most of what the play is about, that is, the play within-the-play, is just a reason for all the action in this smoothly run tour-de-force for Fontana and his fellow cast members. While the songs are for the most part not ones that you will remember, they are cute and add to the story-line which is what a musical should do. The supporting characters are powerful and the ensemble dynamic. The story line is that Michael is an actor who most directors have a problem with. He needs to know his motivation and to understand all of the elements in the show, so at the very opening he is fired by Ron Carlisle ( deftly handled by Reg Rogers), who tells him that he will “never work on a New York stage again “!

He goes back to his home, an apartment he shares with his part-time employer, Jeff ( a great comical role brought to life with just the right touches by Andy Grotelueschen) , who may or may not be writing a play for his buddy. Michael’s girlfriend, Sandy ( an adorable and comical character portrayed to perfection  by Sarah Stiles) who has an audition for a role in a new musical that she really wants to do. Michael, needing to do something with his life, decides to don female clothing and do the audition as Dorothy Michaels ( a transformation of his name, Michael Dorsey). Needless to say, he gets the role and the new show’s director is, none-other than one Ron Carlisle. This makes for a sub-story.

The female lead, Juliette is named Julie in this new version ( the lovely Lilli Cooper) and the male lead, Romeo’s brother Max ( the comical John Behlmann) is a stitch. What happens during this play-within-a-play is that Michael falls in love with his leading lady, but dares not tell her the truth, Max falls in love with Dorothy and the producer of the show, Rita Marshall ( adorably played by Julie Halston) sees Dorothy as the turning point in her show. Another featured comedy role is that of Michael’s agent Stan ( well done by Michael McGrath) . There are great scenes in this 2 1/2 hour production, I am sure that by the time it gets to the stages of New York, some additional cuts and changes will take place.

I can tell you that based on what we witnessed at last night’s opening, this is an adorable, fun-filled musical with a zesty ensemble: Sissy Bell Barry Busby, Paula Legget Chase, Britney Coleman, Leslie Donna Flessner, Jenifer Foote, John Arthur Greene, Drew King, Jeff Kready, Harris Milgrim,  Adam Monley, Shina Ann Morris, James Moye, Katerina Papacostas, Diana Vaden and Anthony Wayne. These energetic performers dance and sing their way into our hearts as this story unfolds.

Directed by Scott Ellis and choreographed by Dennis Jones on a wonderful and practical set (David Rockwell) with great sound (Brian Ronan) and lighting ( Donald Holder), as well as glitzy costumes (William Ivey Long), this show has all the right elements of a Broadway production and is one that I see doing a long run and then years of touring. The story is cute and in fact, as a Broadway Musical instead of a TV “Soap” is even stronger. Fontana is perfect in the title role(s) and should find a Tony sitting on his mantle in the future.

While “Tootsie” has been playing several weeks at the Cadillac Palace, those were previews and thus changes were being made on a daily basis. That is part of the world of theater. The show is ready to go now and for those of you who waited, you only have until October 14th to see this wonderful production. After that you will have to wait until the tour hits Chicago. The following performances are what you can see before it heads to New York:

Tuesdays  7:30 p.m.

Wednesdays  2 and 7:30 p.m.

Thursdays  7:30 p.m.

Fridays  7:30 p.m.

Saturdays  2 and 8 p.m.

Sundays  2 p.m.

Tickets range from $35- $105 ( some premium seats are available) and can be ordered at the box office ( any Broadway In Chicago box office), by calling the ticketline at 1-800-775-2000 or online at www.BroadwayInChicago.com

The Cadillac Palace Theatre is located at 151 West Randolph Street

To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “Tootsie”