Theater Review: 'Some Like it Hot' Tour at The Bushnell

Review by Nancy Sasso Janis

The touring company of the musical version of “Some Like it Hot” has stopped at the Bushnell Theater in Hartford.

The musical is based on the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer film of the same name. The story is set in 1933 Chicago, at the tail end of Prohibition, when two musicians are forced to flee the city after witnessing a mob hit. With gangsters hot on their heels, the pair dress in drag, join an all-female band and board a train for a rollicking trip across the country.

The show is an old-fashioned spectacle, filled with song and tap dancing, and plenty of heart and comedy. “Some Like it Hot” won more theater awards than any show in its season. President and CEO David R. Fay notes: “There is something invigorating about breathing life into classic material with fresh and modern perspectives. And this reimagining is vibrant, bold and brilliant, evoking the very best of true Broadway style.”

Although the script of the movie has been updated, adding the idea of finding your genuine self, it can still appeal to those who appreciate traditional musical theater. I enjoyed the opening night performance more than I expected, mostly because of the high-energy choreography and direction by Casey Nicholaw and the mix of fine musical numbers by Marc Shaiman and Scott Whitman. The book is the work of Matthew Lopez and Amber Ruffin.

The music includes jazz numbers, the music of a big band and a torch song or two. The second act opens with “Let’s Be Bad,” a Shaiman/Whitman composition that fans of the television series “Smash” will recognize. This was the song that I hummed as I left the theater, even though the final number is “Baby, Let’s Get Good.” Music Director Mark Binns conducts three other musicians who travel with the tour and eight local (mostly brass and reed) musicians flesh out the orchestra.

The scenic design by Brian Ronan is Art Deco inspired and is beautifully lit throughout by Natasha Katz. The costumes designed by Gregg Barnes are gloriously reminiscent of the Prohibition era, with dashing suits for the gentlemen and longer skirts and stunning evening gowns for the ladies. Make up by Milagros Medina-Cerdeira and wigs/hair design by Josh Marquette firmly set the characters in the 1930s.

The cast is now racially diverse. Matt Loehr, who was part of the original Broadway cast of “Elf” and the 2010 revival of “Promises, Promises,” has plenty to do onstage in the role of Joe/Josephine/Kip, frequently switching costumes as he changes between the two characters. Tavis Kordell, a North Carolina native, takes on the part of Jerry and the fabulous Daphne in their national tour debut.

Leandra Ellis-Gaston, who was on team Boleyn in “Six” on Broadway, is the beautiful Sugar Kane, the band singer with a big voice (“A Darker Shade of Blue,” “Ride Out the Storm.”) Edward Juvier, who was seen on Broadway in “Les Mis” takes on the scene-stealing role of Osgood Fielding III/Pedro Francisco Alvarez, the “Poor Little Millionaire.”

Tarra Conner Jones (“A Strange Loop” on the West Coast) plays the band leader Sweet Sue and Devon Goffman, who was part of the ensemble on Broadway, plays her assistant Minnie. Devon Goffman portrays the gangster Spats Colombo and Jamie LaVerdiere (“The Producers”) plays Agent Mulligan, the copper on his tail.

The wonderful dancers in the ensemble play the musicians in the “Society Syncopators,” gangsters, hotel porters, bellhops and more. Some additional material was provided by Christian Borle (Joe in the original Broadway cast) and Joe Farrell.

Due to some foul language and gunshots, this show is suggested for ages 12 and up.

What are you thirsty For? Visit the prohibition-themed bar on the Belding 3rd Floor lobby during the run. “Some Like it Hot,” the penultimate show in the Bushnell’s current Broadway series, continues through May 4. It runs two hours and 40 minutes, including a 20 minute intermission. Tickets still available at bushnell.org