“Tootsie”? What were these prominent thespians thinking, kvetched many?
Wednesday, September 12, 2018
The musical 'Tootsie' is much changed — goodbye, soaps — as it tells the story of an actor and his Dorothy
“Tootsie”? What were these prominent thespians thinking, kvetched many?
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Once in a while there comes a show which, although seems like bad production, is able to strike a chord with the audience, making the show a success.
In this article, it seems like "Tootsie" struck a similar chord with the audience. Beating master pieces, Tootsie emerged as a winner when a bunch of people were surveyed.
I feel that this could be possible due to many reasons; the content of the show could have resonated with the audience or the actors had an impeccable acting or the characters were relateble.
Anyhow, this survey just reveals how what might seem to be the answer to a question might not be. People think differently and like different things. Le Cid was like that. Scholars had rejected the show because it did not follow the "rules" that were set for playwrights at that time. Yet Cornielle wrote the play and it was because of the story why the show became such a hit. Everyone went to watch it. Tootsie is in the same realm of shows. Uncanny yet appealing. Rare but relateble.
I saw the movie "Tootsie" for the first time in middle school, and despite it's silly sounding name I really enjoyed it. I loved seeing one actor playing two characters that were really the same person. There was never anything weird about the fact a man was pretending to be a woman because it was just something that Michael simply had to do in order to survive. I hope that the current production of "Tootsie" can hold on to that aspect of Dorothy and Michael. Also I think a current, "re-vamped," adaptation of this movie is incredibly important; especially since it is showcasing (and critiquing) a part of society that is, on a daily, uprooted and shifted around. It provides more than just a comedic story for audiences. It showcases the business itself and the work that goes in to "make it" as an actor, but also shows the pressures these performers face, and the treatment of women as well. Especially in recent events, the treatment of women in the performing arts world has been put under more surveillance. The changes that were made, are, to my understanding, made to help the show be more current and relatable.
I'm interested to see how this turns out. It sounds a bit ridiculous, but in a fun way and I think it's 100% ok to have just fun entertainment from time to time. The two personas one person ploy is always entertaining. I wonder though if it will be exempt from the critiques on its portrayal of gender. The contemporary spin that the creative team is bringing to the show will certainly help mediate the old gendered tones and the intended goal of making the show about desperation will add to that. However, I do not believe this means the critics will let it be and I don’t think it would be fair to just let it slide. Gender is a sensitive topic given the inequalities and lack of acceptance for various groups along its spectrum and actual delivery should not be allowed to exist unexamined if in anyway it may serve to further those despite good intentions.
I think I'm in the minority here but I actually had never even heard of "Tootsie" before I found out that it was being made into a musical. When I first learned they were doing this I was surprised as I didn't realize that the movie was actually that popular. However, one of my friends from the summer has been working on the stage management team and has been saying good things about it. From reading the description of the original movie in this article I think it's a good thing that the musical is modernizing and revamping the original story. Like Simone said, the way the entertainment industry portrays gender is a something that is a very hot button issue right now so there is a chance that they will face criticism for this. As it's already headed to Broadway this Spring people have obviously been very receptive to it, but I'm interested in seeing how people respond to it once it opens in New York.
I am with Megan here as I have never heard of Tootsie till it was announced that it was being made into a musical. I still haven’t seen the movie but I know they made significant changes to the script as the original script is super problematic. Megans friend who I met over the summer is one of the production assistants on the show in Chicago. I am guessing the show is massive since there are 5 production assistant along with a full stage management team. Im very excited to see this show because of Santino Fontana, I think he is such a great actor and hasn’t a part yet to really shine and I think this will be it! The show will open in New York either this spring or next fall and I wonder how it will do if they open this season. There is already buzz that the show has a lot of tony award potential!
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