Robert D. Thompson 
Introducing Broadway to Hollywood’s TOOTSIES premieres in Los Angeles at the Dolby Theater from April 26 to May 15, 2022.
The musical features the book by Tony® winner Robert Horn and the score by 2018 Tony winner David Yazbek (The group visit, Dirty rotten villains).
Tootsie, a musical inspired by the hit 1982 Dustin Hoffman film, is a comedic embrace of struggling actors and the theatrical world. The story takes place following Michael Dorsey (a role gently played by Drew Becker). He is a talented but infuriating man who struggles to find work as an actor. Then, in a stunning act of desperation, he takes on the appearance of a woman. Michael must pretend to be “Dorothy Michaels” to land a role in the Broadway musical “Juliet’s Nurse,” opposite the charming Julie (with the powerful voice of Ashley Alexandra). The two bond as “buddies”, but Michael quickly develops romantic feelings.
Michael’s ex-girlfriend, Sandy (dynamo Payton Reilly), is unaware that Michael has won the role she was counting on, which sends the overworked girl into a new, stressed stratosphere. Sandy’s “What’s Gonna Happen” speed number is a nervous delight. Also in turmoil is Michael’s pal Jeff (played brilliantly by Jared David Michael Grant), who only sees trouble ahead, and he’s right. Grant actually has the funniest number with the pot-mouthed song “Jeff Sums It Up,” a tour de force that has him bouncing all over the stage happily telling his friend “You (fucked) up.”
Other notable performers include the exceptional Lukas James Miller as the love-struck Max VanHorn, who plays his role as comic relief to the fullest; Adam DuPlessis as smarmy show-in-a-show director Ron Carlisle; and the formidable Kathy Halenda (she commands the stage every time she appears) as producer Rita Marshall who sees Dorothy Michaels/Michael Dorsey’s wacky but empowering vision for “Juliet’s Nurse.” …Don’t call him Tootsie!
TOOTSIE will play from April 26 to May 15, 2022, Tuesday to Friday at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. and Sundays at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Tickets start at $30 and can be purchased online at www.BroadwayInHollywood.com or www.Ticketmaster.com. Tickets can also be purchased over the phone at 800-982-2782 or at the Dolby Theater box office located at 6801 Hollywood Boulevard. For convenience, tickets can also be purchased at the Hollywood Pantages Theater box office located at 6233 Hollywood Boulevard.
The tour will also take place in Costa Mesa at the Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts from May 31 to June 12, 2022.
Go to: BroadwayInHollywood.com or Ticketmaster.com or call 800-982-2782
Margie Barron has written for a wide variety of outlets including Gannett Newspapers, Nickelodeon, Tiger Beat and 16 Magazine, Fresh!, Senior Life, Production Update, Airline Magazines, and more. Margie is also proud to have been one half of husband and wife writing team Frank & Margie Barron, who wrote together for various entertainment and travel publications for over 38 years.
