For audiences who have seen the famed 1959 comedy “Some Like it Hot” starring Tony Curtis, Jack Lemmon and Marilyn Monroe, be prepared for a more contemporary look and a jazzier story in the new musical which is now running at the Arsht Center in downtown Miami through Sunday, December 8.
Set as in the film version in the prohibition 1930s era, the Marc Shaiman/Scott Wittman musical features 18 songs, including a high energy “Some Like It Hot” song that closes act one in the two hour, 40 minute presentation.
What we see is a lot of creative teamwork from the 26 cast members who are dancing and singing to fast paced and upbeat songs that set the tone for the fun and playfulness of the story.
For those who haven’t seen the film version, the main plot of “Some Like It Hot” has main characters musicians Joe and Jerry (actors Matt Loehr and Tavis Kordell) bear witness to a killing by Spats (Devon Goffman) and fellow criminals based in Chicago.
Joe and Jerry flee to join an all girl band of musicians heading to California by transforming themselves into female musicians Josephine and Daphne. Joe pines for the lead singer Sugar (Leandra Ellis-Gaston) while Jerry embraces being Daphne to the point of having a relationship with older man Osgood (Edward Juvier).
Tommy Sutter, Jay Owens, Jamie LaVerdiere and Devon Goffman – Photo by Matthew Murphy
As was the case in the film version, a series of funny antics develop in the story as Spats and his mob friends eventually seek out and discover Joe and Jerry as Josephine and Daphne that led to lots of sight gags and physical comedy.
Unlike the film version, there is a deeper story of conviction, love and more realism in the musical. The musical casts both Sugar and Jerry/Daphne as black musicians that adds both intrigue and some tension to the story, especially given that the story is set in America during the 1930s.
Also, Jerry embraces Daphne to the point of considering Osgood as a viable romantic partner as not as a running gag in the film. Actor Tavis Kordell, who intrigues audiences with his portrayal of Jerry as a dancer/musician who has seen his fair share of racism, becomes more intrigued about himself when he becomes Daphne.
What is stunning is that Kordell not only looks feminine, but is believed as a romantic interest to Osgood, and Kordell takes the audience on a different adventure as Daphne that Jack Lemmon did in the film.
Actors Matt Loehr and Leandra Ellis-Gaston have sparks and sizzle in their romance and are especially superb in the solos “He Lied When He Said Hello” (Loehr) and “Ride Out The Storm” (Ellis-Gaston).
Kordell shines in his solo as Daphne in “You Coulda Knocked Me Over With a Feather” in act two.
The high energy of the music and dancing gives a robust, immersive feel that audiences were transported to the world of America in the 1930s, especially with the music of Shaiman and Wittman in recreating the sound of the Big Band music in their original songs.
Director and Choreographer Casey Nicholaw overseeing his team of actors, singers, costume, lighting and scenic designers brought out an impressive production that captivated audiences as a new musical. The “Some Like It Hot” musical won two Tony Awards for its 2022-23 Broadway run and Arsht Center audiences will find the current national tour just as appealing.
The First National Touring Company of SOME LIKE IT HOT – Photo by Matthew Murphy
“Some Like It Hot”, a Marc Shaiman/Scott Wittman musical based on the 1959 film of the same title, is running now at he Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, 1300 Biscayne Blvd. in Miami through Sunday, December 7. Tickets range from $30-$135. For showtimes and tickets, go to arshtcenter.org or call 305-949-6722..
