Reviewed
by Judd Hollander
The classic
1959 film "Some Like It Hot" gets the Broadway treatment and comes
out running on pretty much all cylinders. Thanks in no small part to an
excellent score, some very strong directorial efforts, an absolutely wonderful
cast, and a tour-de-force performance by J. Harrison Ghee.
Things
start off in 1933 Chicago during the waning days of Prohibition. Joe (Christian
Borle) and Jerry (Ghee), close friends since childhood, are two out of work
musicians/tap dancers. Jerry is the hard-working sort; inclined to keep his
head down, do his job, and not make waves. However, Jerry’s efforts are all too
often scuttled by the more abrasive Joe. Joe, who comes from a family of con
artists, repeatedly pushes things too far in his attempts to get he and Jerry
their big showbiz break. Joe's continual roving eye for the ladies also doesn’t
help. He having left a string of broken hearts and promises in his wake.
(l-r) Christian Borle and J. Harrison Ghee in SOME LIKE IT HOT. Photo credit: Marc J. Franklin
Thanks to
some quick talking and fast dancing, Jerry and Joe land a gig at a nightclub
owned by mobster Spats Colombo (Mark Lotito). Not long after, the two find
themselves at the wrong place at the wrong time when they witness Spats and his henchman commit murder. Forced to
flee for their lives, Joe comes up with the idea to dress up as women so they
can get safely out of town. Sought by both the mob and the police, the duo, now
calling themselves “Josephine” and “Daphne”, join up with the Society
Syncopators, an all-girl band about to go out on tour. The band is headed by
Sweet Sue (NaTasha Yvette Williams). A Chicago
fixture who has her own reasons for wanting to leave Chicago.
Also with
the band is lead singer, Sugar Kane (Adrianna Hicks). A woman whose chronic
lateness, fondness for the bottle and desire to be a film star puts her at odds
with the rest of the band. While Joe and Jerry initially plan to stick with the
group until it gets to San Diego, and
then head for Mexico, complications arise which make them each reconsider. Joe finds
himself drawn to Sugar, whose superior attitude masks a deep insecurity. Jerry
meanwhile has become more and more comfortable in his female persona as he
quickly becomes “just one of the girls”. A situation he is not ready to give
up. However once they get to San Diego ,it’s “Daphne” who runs into romantic complications when
she catches the eye of millionaire Osgood Feilding III
(Kevin Del Aguila).
Adrianna Hicks in SOME LIKE IT HOT. Photo credit: Marc J. FranklinSome Like It Hot works
not only due to the comedic situations and enjoyable musical numbers, but also
because of the more the somber moments crafted by bookwriters Matthew López and
Amber Ruffin. Elements which crystallize perfectly in act two, where Osgood
notes how "the world reacts to what it sees" but "doesn't have
very good eyesight". A reference to peoples’ habit of taking everything
and everyone at face value. Without trying to see what might be underneath.
This is a lesson learned by several
of the characters. When Joe defends Sugar against hurtful comments from the
other girls in the band, he begins to realize how he himself has treated women
in the past. At the same time, Sugar begins to see in "Josephine" her
first true female friend. One who can, ironically, see her for who she truly
is. Meanwhile Jerry, who realizes how important getting in touch with his
feminine side has become, realizes he has to stop simply following Joe’s lead
and start to live life on his own terms.
The music
by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman & Shaiman are excellent.
Several of their contributions (i.e. “You Can’t Have Me (If You Don’t Have
Him)” and “Vamp” brought brilliantly to life thanks to the sterling
musical, verbal, and physical interplay between Borle and Ghee. Casey
Nicholaw’s direction and choreography is also a main contributor to the show’s
success. Particularly enchanting is a graceful dance number between Joe
and Sugar (“Dance the World Away”), which calls to mind a Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers ballroom
sequence.
Kevin Del Aguila and the cast of SOME LIKE IT HOT. Photo credit: Marc J. FranklinWhen
looking at Ghee as Jerry/Daphne it‘s hard to imagine anyone else in the part.
This is a case of the performer fitting the role so perfectly, that the moment
Daphne comes into being, it’s as if the actor and character have fused into
one. The resulting performance is touching, comical and completely believable.
The character also makes the number You Coulda Knocked Me Over With a Feather”
into a truly show-stopping experience.
Borle
make a perfect Joe, a heel when it comes to women, who learns the value of
finding something more permanent. Hicks is very good as Sugar, a woman with a
weakness for saxophone players who has constructed a cynical shell of
protection due to bitter past experience. Hicks also powerfully delivers with
the ballads “A Darker Shade of Blue” and “Ride Out the Storm”. Along with the
quietly wistful “At the Old Majestic Nickel Matinee”.
NaTasha Yvette Williams and the cast of SOME LIKE IT HOT. Photo credit: Marc J. FranklinWilliams
is enjoyable as Sweet Sue, a brassy, no-nonsense, take-charge woman. Aguila is
a perfect fit as Osgood. Someone who initially only seems there for comic
relief, but eventually proves far to be more intuitive than expected. Angie
Schworer is fun as Minnie. A member of the band who has a continual habit of
confusing apartment numbers. Lotito has a nice scenery chewing role as Spats.
The only
thing that doesn’t work as well as it should are some of the chase scenes. Most
done in full tap dancing mode; and which are sometimes a bit more slapstick
than necessary. The various sets by Scott Pask are enjoyable. Costumes by Gregg
Barnes nicely fit the period, though they’re not all that memorable.
Some Like It Hot may
not be completely perfect, but it comes pretty darn close.
Kevin Del Aguila, J. Harrison Ghee, NaTasha Yvette Williams, Adrianna Hicks, Christian Borle and the company of SOME LIKE IT HOT. Photo credit: Matthew Murphy
Featuring:
NaTashya Yvette Williams (Sweet Sue), Christian Borle (Joe/Josephine), J.
Harrison Ghee (Jerry/Daphne), Devon Hadsell (Nellie), Casey Garvin (Mack),
Jarvis B. Manning, Jr. (Sonny), Mark Lotito (Spats), Adam Heller (Mulligan), Charles
South (Toothpick Charlie), Angie Schworer (Minnie), TyNia René Brandon
(Dolores), Kayla Pecchioni (Ginger), Jenny Hill (Vivian), Adrianna Hicks
(Sugar), K.J. Hippensteel (Bar Manager, Man with Suitcase), Kevin Del Aguila
(Osgood).
Society
Syncopators: TyNia René Brandon, Gabi
Campo, Devon Hadsell, Jenny Hill, Abby Matsusaka, Amber Owens, Kayla
Pecchioni.
Gangsters,
Porters, Bellhops, et, al.: K.J.
Hippensteel, Casey Garvin, Jarvis B. Manning, Jr., Brian Martin, Charles South,
Brendon Stimson, Julius Williams, Richard Raz Yoder.
Some Like It Hot
Book by
Matthew Lopez and Amber Ruffin
Music by
Marc Shaiman
Lyrics by
Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman
Based on
the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Motion Picture "Some Like It Hot"
Scenic
Designer: Scott Pask
Costume
Designer: Gregg Barnes
Lighting
Designer: Natasha Katz
Sound
Deign: Brian Ronan
Hair
Design: Josh Marquette
Makeup
Design: Milagros Medina-Cerdeira
Additional Material by Christian Borle and Joe Farrell
Orchestrations:
Charlie Rosen and Bryan Carter
Vocal
Arrangements: Marc Shaiman
Dance
& Incidental Music Arrangements: Glen Kelly
Music
Director: Darryl Archibald
Music
Coordinator: Kristy Norter
Directed
and Choreographed by Casey Nicholaw
Sam S.
Shubert Theatre
225 West 44th Street
Tickets:
212-632-6200 or www.telecharge.com
Information:
www.SomeLikeItHotMusical.com
Running
Time: 2 Hours, 40 minutes with one intermission
Open Run