Tootsie is one of my favorite movies. I'm very excited about this becoming a musical. I think Santino is perfect casting for Michael Dorsey/Dorothy Michaels.
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
This musical is REALLY good. I saw a reading of it with Fontana, Stephanie J Block, Marc Kudisch and others last year and was so impressed, since I wasn’t sold in an updated version of the story. But man, I loved it.
Jordan Catalano said: "This musical is REALLY good. I saw a reading of it with Fontana, Stephanie J Block, Marc Kudisch and others last year and was so impressed, since I wasn’t sold in an updated version of the story. But man, I loved it. "
Good to hear. That's quite a cast too and I'm happy that Yazbeck is doing the score.
I told my friend that if Block stays with the show, there’s no way she doesn’t get a Tony. She was so hilarious and her songs showcased everything that’s wonderful about her.
If SJB isn’t tied up with Cher I hope she’s doing this!
In our millions, in our billions, we are most powerful when we stand together. TW4C unwaveringly joins the worldwide masses, for we know our liberation is inseparably bound.
Signed,
Theater Workers for a Ceasefire
https://theaterworkersforaceasefire.com/statement
But it's already just such a perfect movie as is...
I guess I will never understand the thought behind taking an already great classic quotable film and musicalizing it. The best musical adaptations of films have been from movies where the score was the missing element the movie needed to heighten it to another place. Tootsie is already perfect. It just doesn't strike me as a story that sings or needs to sing.
For me, the uniqueness about Dorothy Michaels was her VOICE, that accent. As JC has heard a reading, I wonder if Mr Fontana tries to copy or create his own accent.
I would prefer a Shaiman/Wittman score, or perhaps Frankel/Korie. I fear Yazbek's songs will meander, both musically and lyrically, and be little more than mildly amusing when they should be very funny, or maudlin when they should be moving (as I generally find his work).
What ignites the action in the film is the fact that Dustin Hoffman plays a failed actor who is at an age where he needs to succeed or quit the business.
BTW, I share blaxx's feeling that the idea that an actor needs to pretend to be female because--What?-- there aren't enough roles for white men is absurd, if not offensive.
But the musical could borrow from M. Butterfly the idea that men are better equipped to play women because "femininity" is a male construct. That might be interesting, especially in the soap opera world.
LYLS3637 said: "blaxx said: "Isn't this the story of a white MAN who needs to dress up as a WOMAN to get a job?
How sensitive and contemporary! Makes perfect sense to stage it right now as a musical, not offensive at all."
Sounds like YOU need to go watch the movie again..."
It burns that I'm right?
Straight white male must pass as a woman to make it in the industry, sounds lovely. They should also musicalize Richard Pryor's The Toy while they're at it.
Listen, I don't take my clothes off for anyone, even if it is "artistic". - JANICE
I’ve seen Tootsie countless times. The reason Michael Dorsey becomes Dorothy Michaels and auditions for the soap (ahem, daytime drama—I owe the producer a quarter) is because he is difficult to work with. He argues with directors, walks off the stage, quits a commercial playing a beefsteak tomato, and Sydney Pollack as his agent exclaims “No one will hire you!” Having previously accompanied Sandy (Teri Garr) to the soap audition, he is prompted to audition as Dorothy, who has no such difficult reputation . . . yet.
blaxx said: "LYLS3637 said: "blaxx said: "Isn't this the story of a white MAN who needs to dress up as a WOMAN to get a job?
How sensitive and contemporary! Makes perfect sense to stage it right now as a musical, not offensive at all."
Sounds like YOU need to go watch the movie again..."
It burns that I'm right?
Straight white male must pass as a woman to make it in the industry, sounds lovely. They should also musicalize Richard Pryor's The Toy while they're at it."
As usual, you miss the point entirely. That's not what the movie is about, but gotta give you credit for trying to force an agenda onto the film that it does not have.
I'm dubious about this project's book writer, who was responsible for the unbearably tortuous 13, a few gags for one Dame Edna show, and the scripts for a handful of lower-tier sitcoms. Perhaps he possesses unexplored depths of talent, but ...