Review: Stage Musical 'Tootsie' is A Hoot!

Theatre by the Sea continues its latest season with another Tony award-winning musical (Best Book of a Musical), this time another adaptation of a successful '80s film.

"Tootsie" was originally a 1982 comedy featuring Dustin Hoffman and Jessica Lange; this musical adaptation by David Yazbek (music and lyrics) and Robert Horn (book) had its tryouts at Chicago's Cadillac Palace Theatre in 2018. Like the original film, the stage musical follows difficult actor Dorsey as he tries for a successful part; here, it's a Broadway musical, and not a soap opera, as in the 1982 version.

Michael Dorsey (Kyle Nicholas Anderson) is a New York actor who is notoriously difficult to work with, making him almost completely blacklisted. Clashing with the writer/director Ron Carlisle (Jeff Brooks) on his latest attempt at fame and fortune, he's fired for questioning every scene, song, and line of dialogue. Approaching his 40th birthday, Michael reflects on what he hasn't accomplished.

How to erase the blacklist? How about... dress as a woman and try out for Carlisle's musical again, this time not as Michael, but as Dorothy Michaels? The director bristles at Dorothy's unconventional appearance, but is embraced by producer Rita Marshall (Crystal Sha'Nae) and star Julie (Joann Gilliam.)

Unexpectedly successful in his (her?) role in "Juliet's Nurse" playing – what else? the nurse! – Dorsey gets even closer to the show's leading actress in a romantic way. How to explain to Julie that Dorothy isn't at all what she seems, however, is another story, setting up a surprisingly funny chain of events. Reality star Max Van Horn (Jadon Webster), also starring in "Nurse," finds himself attracted to Dorothy; his dim-bulb personality unable to grasp just why. To make matters even worse, Michael's extremely neurotic ex-girlfriend, Sandy (a hysterical Brooke Jacob), really, really wanted the part he nabbed. Meanwhile, his roommate, Jeff (Dean Marino), watches in complete disbelief as events unfold in front of him.

As crazy as all of this sounds, this cast is the right combination of talent to flesh out these fun characters. Marino is incredibly funny as the roommate, Brooks brings all of the nasty director cliches as Michael's adversary, and Gilliam is sweet and befuddled as she navigates her troubled relationship with someone who cannot tell her the truth.

Local talent Fred Sullivan, Jr. also makes an appearance as Dorsey's exasperated manager, Stan Field, in a very funny turn. Anderson is skillful at switching between roles; it's not an easy task, but he makes it look as funny as one might imagine. You'll not have any trouble laughing out loud at the antics of the entire cast in this hilarious and brightly colored adaptation of a 42-year-old comedy. "Tootsie" is just the right balance of comedy, dancing, and uproarious situations.

"Tootsie" is running through July 20 at Theatre By The Sea, 245 Cards Pond Road, Wakefield, RI 02879. For information or tickets call 401-782-8587 or visit www.theatrebythesea.com.