The stage musical “Some Like It Hot,” now at the Orpheum Theatre in San Francisco, is a delightful mix of the old and new—a simply swell adaptation of the 1959 classic film comedy about two cross-dressing musicians trying to escape a mobster after they witness a hit.
Folks familiar with the iconic Billy Wilder-directed movie starring Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe will recognize the characters and much of the plot of this 2022 Tony Award-winning musical.
Yet the clever book by Matthew López and Amber Ruffin and score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (of “Hairspray” fame) nicely updates with nuance the Prohibition era-story for 21st century audiences tuned in to issues of diversity, gender fluidity, racism and sexism.
Here, when Matt Loehr as saxophonist Joe (Curtis in the movie) and Tavis Kordell as bassist Jerry (Lemmon on film) disguise themselves to join a female traveling band, their act of donning wigs and dresses isn’t extensively played for laughs as it was for fans of the now dated film. And the guys’ discovery of their feminine side comes to light in sweet ways. Jerry, who becomes Daphne, utters an applause-earning, great line about being OK being addressed by either name—but with respect.
Still, the show doesn’t offer grandiose social statements. It’s truly a song-and-dance extravaganza with dazzling nostalgic choreography by Casey Nicholaw (“The Book of Mormon”), who also directs.
The tapping is rampant throughout, and to die for. Unlike in the movie, the musicians on the run here also are dancers, and great ones. Joe and Jerry’s entrance is a show-stopping duet in which Loehr and Kordell display stamina and style reminiscent of the Nicholas Brothers.
The show’s penultimate number, with the superb and important full corps leaping and swerving in and out of multiple doors that swiftly move across the stage, is crazy chaos and pure glee!
Leandra Ellis-Gaston as Sugar (the Monroe character) is more than a breathy stereotypical sexpot. Not only does she get the show’s loveliest ballads, belting them with vigor, her inevitable romance even has depth. And she dances, too.
Edward Juvier as Osgood, the goofy, good-natured millionaire who’s smitten with Daphne, vocalizes with verve and endearingly hoofs up a storm.
Tarra Conner Jones, as sassy, strong, sometimes shrill, bandleader Sweet Sue, gets the show going in the opening, speakeasy-set number. Sadly, due to a bad sound mix in the large theater, her lyrics were muddled at times, and the problem persisted throughout the show. However, the high volume doesn’t ultimately have an insurmountable effect on ticketholders thrilled to enjoy a good, old-fashioned musical that brilliantly and seemingly paradoxically manages to be fun, familiar and contemporary at the same time.
“Some Like It Hot” runs through Jan. 26 at the Orpheum Theatre, 1192 Market St., San Francisco. Tickets are $60 to $239 at broadwaysf.com or (888) 746-1799.
The post Review: ‘Some Like It Hot’ the musical is a swinging treat appeared first on Local News Matters.