Legitimate Theater Bonus: #11. Tootsie (2019)

Tootsie

Welcome to Legitimate Theater: a column dedicated to movie-based stage musicals. The goal of this series is to explore those stories that originated in films and eventually worked their way onto Broadway and beyond. By the end of each entry, there will hopefully be a better understanding of this odd but rampant trend in modern entertainment. Are these stories really worth telling through song and dance? How can it even compare to the technical prowess of a camera and seamless editing? Join me on this quest as I explore the highs and lows of this trend on the third Wednesday of every month and hopefully answer what makes this Legitimate Theater.

Opening

In the realm of men dressed as women, there's something lasting about Tootsie. It could be the Oscar-nominated work of Dustin Hoffman, but it could also be how the film explores sexism within the industry. So, with over 35 years since the film has come out, why update the show now? With David Yazbek, who recently won Best Musical at the Tony Awards for The Band's Visit, it was more of a challenge to show how these themes can be expanded upon to show how they are relevant to the 21st century. As one of the biggest successes of the year, it's tough to argue against the show, as it lacks the novelty of other Tony-nominated shows like Beetlejuice. It's more straightforward with heart and angst, but is it for the best? Can a show about a man in a dress work as more than farce?

A Quick Background

Tony Wins: 2 wins (including Best Book of a Musical) and 8 nominations (including Best Musical)

Based on: Tootsie (1982)

Music: David Yazbek

Lyrics: David Yazbek

Book: Robert Horn

Prominent Actors: Santino Fontana, Lilli Cooper, Sarah Stiles

Soundtrack

1. "Overture"
2. "Opening Number"
3. "Whaddaya Do"
4. "What's Gonna Happen"
5. "I Won't Let You Down"
6. "I'm Alive"
7. "There Was John"
8. "I Like What She's Doing"
9. "Who Are You?"
10. "What's gonna Happen (Reprise)"
11. "Unstoppable"
12. "Entr'acte"
13. "Jeff Sums It Up"
14. "Gone, Gone, Gone"
15. "Who Are You? (Reprise)"
16. "This Thing"
17. "Whaddaya Do (Reprise)"
18. "The Most Important Night"
19. "Talk to Me Dorothy"
20. "Arrivederci!"
21. "Michael's Reprise"
22. "Thank You"

Note: Listen to the music here

Song Exploration

Opening Song:
"Opening Number"

Where it could be easy to make a number about a failed actor into a gimmicky number (see: The Producers), this manages to be a much more fulfilling exploration of character. This isn't just a story of one man who is bad at acting, but it's also his inability to connect with the cast around him as he gives bad suggestions and gets shot down. There's an arrogance in his despair, and it all works to establish character in a way that's fun. All things considered, it's a pretty great opening full of strong comedic beats and a rhythmic execution that captures the feeling of being on stage and having to dance to a piano. It drives the music, and there's so much personality on display. You understand why he'll take this journey into trying on a different persona. He just has the gumption to pull it off. Most of all, it's catchy and effective.

Carryovers

The easy answer is that most of the story is the same. There isn't really a piece of music that is worth mentioning here. At most, you have the character arc of a man trying to find his identity by taking on the role of a woman that outshines his own career. Beyond that, it has to compete with updating it in ways that are more sensitive to sexism in the industry as well as references to modern culture that enhance the overall experience. As far as carryovers, it's mostly the central characters and story, of which are perfectly updated in ways that whittle off the flaws and finds the genius underneath.

High Point:

"Jeff Sums It Up"

Unlike some shows where it's difficult to find multiple numbers that are worth calling the best, Tootsie has an embarrassing amount. Maybe it's because David Yazbek and crew are coming off of the excellent The Band's Visit and have the resources to make the music as big and interesting as they want. In this case, the second act opener is the existential crisis that this story needs to establish a rift between the man and the woman that he's created. It's also among the funniest songs on the album, and it's mostly the protagonist cursing for the first minute. Still, when it comes to establishing what's to happen in the plot, humor comes from the absurd idea that two identities will need to be balanced and Jeff's enthusiasm to see how this odd situation will play out is a nice capper to this catchy number.

Low Point:

"Thank You"

Maybe there is more to the show that isn't translatable to the album, but the final track is kind of a flat finale. Whereas everything building up to it has energy and personality, it's just a quick moment on the album that happens. Maybe it's because it feels like everything is resolved on the penultimate track, but there's nothing memorable here. Then again, that's more of a reason to see the show.

What Does It Bring to the Story?

Tootsie as a movie was about the world of TV and film, which makes sense given the popularity of the medium. To translate it to stage or a musical makes a lot of sense and gives the show everything that works. Also, by updating it to the modern era, it manages to explore how the themes of the film still impact the modern age, even if they've changed slightly. There's also a sense that there's more of an existential crisis on display in the performances that adds emotional layers to the comedy. It mentions everything from Broadway shows to fidget spinners. There's so much here that's contemporary and referenced on the album that it stands to be dated, but then again that's tassels on a fairly compelling story full of actors desperate to make a difference on Broadway.

Was This Necessary?

Yes

 As a premise, it's one of those ideas that is maybe a bit too hacky to pull off. However, Yazbek and crew have been on a hot streak with their last two shows - and it's easy to see why. This isn't just adapting a film to stage. This is taking the substance of the show and finding how the heart could work on stage. Not only that, but the music that goes along with it has one of the strongest collections out there. Yes, it's a show about a man who dresses as a woman for a career, but it manages to explore the desperation of actors to make a difference and overcome their struggles. It's an overplayed premise, but it still works and is one of the best shows of its kind, capturing the heartache and humor that goes with something this absurd and human.