Tootsie -a Fresh Remake Now at Maine State Music Theatre

By Kim Fletcher

 "Tootsie: is on the boards right now at Maine State Music Theatre on the Bowdoin Campus in Brunswick and it’s not a ho-hum remake of a film made-into-a-musical, that seems to be the popular trend on regional stages.  This script and production is familiar, yet fresh!

Just as in the original film “Tootsie,” (1982), starring a young, vibrant Dustin Hoffman, the plot is all about an out-of-work actor trying to get a job, who only gets cast when he passes himself off as a woman.

Difficult and annoying actor Michael Dorsey is self-sabotaging with just about everyone in the New York theater scene. Dorsey is burning bridges everywhere from casting and production directors to his own theatrical agent. He commiserates his unemployed, not-cast status with his roommate and playwright wannabe Jeff Slater, and his neurotic, quasi-girlfriend Sandy Lester.

Through Sandy, he learns of an upcoming audition for a strange ‘Romeo and Juliet’ musical sequel called ‘Juliet’s Curse’ that’s casting for the role of the nurse. For the first time, Dorsey dons a female get-up to audition as Dorothy Michaels and he/she lands the role! Then, the fun begins as ‘she’ takes over rehearsals, evolves the show into ‘Juliet’s Nurse,’ falls in love with a female castmate, Julie Nichols, dodges the infatuation of dimwitted co-star Max Von Horn, and becomes the star of the show.

Impressive actor/singer Dan DeLuca debuts at MSMT, carrying the dual role of Michael Dorsey/Dorothy Michaels. DeLuca brings additionally impressive acting chops through his other professional touring company roles, including Roger in ‘Rent,’ Dr. Frankenstein in ‘Young Frankenstein,’ and in the regional premier of ‘Tootsie,’ playing opposite Sally Struthers at the Ogunquit Playhouse. He is entirely believable as Dorothy right down to his pumps and less-than-fashionable undergarments. The affect, the walk, the vocal tone – it’s all there.

Jen Cody plays Dorsey’s ex-girlfriend, and now close friend, Sandy Lester. Cody brings all the self-deprecating, and neurotic high energy experienced by every insecure actor in Act I’s “What’s Gonna Happen,” a delightful patter-song she sings to Michael and Jeff in their apartment.

The comedic song is about every mental moment Sandy has leading up to days and hours before an audition, including self-talk to get out there and get the role. Then she sings the perceived defeatism that she’s never going to be cast. Her head-game audition forecast is, ‘I'll be hearing Sandy sucks; she really sucks, she really, really, really blows; And she's old, and she's lame…And then someone calls my name!’  She does reveal that her big dream is to land the nurse role in the musical ‘Juliet's Nurse.’ 

Songbird Kristina Leopold, playing love interest Julie Nichols, displays amazing vocal range in her solo ‘Gone, Gone, Gone’ in an Act II bar scene with sparkly backup singers. Also in Act II, actor Nick Gaswirth as roommate Jeff belts out a showstopper ‘Whaddya Do’ (reprise), which includes a physicality impressive for a big guy. These two scenes garnered whistles and applause from the appreciative opening night audience

Alongside Dan DeLuca (Michael/Dorothy), the entire cast gives standout performances, particularly Kristina Leopold (Julie) with her amazing vocals; Jen Cody (Sandy), with her rat-a-tat-tat comedic delivery; Nick Gaswirth’s (Jeff) physical humor and range; and, Pascal Victor Pastrana (Max) as the definition of a hunky scene-stealer.

Charis Leos is brilliant as show producer Rita Marshall; David Girolmo is long-suffering theatrical agent Stan Fields; Nathan Cockroft is the wickedly smarmy show director/choreographer Ron Carlisle; with great performances by Chris Hunter (Stuart); Elise Kinnon (Suzie/dance captain); and, Corey Barrow (Stage Manager).

MSMT’s ‘Tootsie’ as a musical is fresh, and though the premise remains essentially the same, the script is not a remake of the movie and is comfortably set in the present. With book by Robert Horn, masterful direction and choreography by Mark Martino, audiences are in for a fun and enjoyable night in the theatre. Audiences will recognize the musical talent of David Yazbek, famous for his award-winning shows ‘The Full Monty,’ and ‘Dirty Rotten Scoundrels.’ He also scored the final season of crime series HBO’s ‘Boardwalk Empire.’  

Kicking up their impressive heels are ensemble players Corey Barrow, Bailey Blaise, Lani Corson, Bradley Gibbins-Klein, Chris Hunter, Cynthia Kauffman, Elise Kinnon, Kevin Ivey Morrison, Rachel Revellese, and Harrison Asher Smith.

MSMT has embraced audiovisual design production elements, particularly video and scenic projections in an attempt to enhance the show’s storytelling.  In some scenes, the projections when stationary did enhance a particular scene. However, moving projections pulled focus from the moving dancers, creating an uncomfortable visual sensation. The choreography was too good to play second-fiddle to the competing movement of scenic projections. It was confusing to understand projection choices, such as NYC street-level vehicles traveling, when the actors on stage were not otherwise depicted as being in vehicles.

‘Tootsie’ the musical is currently running through July 12 at Maine State Music Theater in the Pickard Theater on the Bowdoin College campus in Brunswick.  For tickets and more information, visit www.msmt.org or call the MSMT Box Office at 207.725.8769.

 KIm Fletcher is a guest reviewer from Rockland, Maine. She brings  her unerring eye  to every review.  Kin has a long and storied career on and offstage. Welcome!