Some may say that the first show one sees in the new year might just set the tone for the 12 months ahead. If that’s the case, then I’m certainly in for a treat after the Kravis Center’s fabulous production of Some Like It Hot! I was already familiar with the story, having seen the 1959 MGM film it was based on, a crime comedy classic starring Old Hollywood legends Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis, and Jack Lemmon. Nonetheless, the musical absolutely stands on its own as a fresh, sparkling take on the popular story, with its book by Matthew López and Amber Ruffin, music by Marc Shaiman, and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman. After accidentally witnessing a brutal mafia murder in 1933 Chicago, best friends and jazz musicians Joe (Matt Loehr) and Jerry (Tavis Kordell) are desperate to escape. Their plan? Disguise themselves as women—Josephine and Daphne—and join an all-female band headed for California. With mistaken identities, unexpected romances, and self-discovery journeys at play—and a group of gangsters hot on the duo’s heels—will their scheme succeed?
The show’s leads, Joe/Josephine (Loehr), Jerry/Daphne (Kordell), and Sugar Kane, the band’s lead singer (Leandra Ellis-Gaston), all deliver spectacular performances. Loehr and Kordell make the audience laugh with their comedic antics, but also deliver touching, heartfelt moments throughout, as Joe learns that he may need to eschew his disguises for a chance at true connection and happiness, while Jerry discovers that being Daphne feels just as authentic as being Jerry does, finding genuine freedom beyond the constraints and labels society sometimes imposes. Ellis-Gaston shines as the sweet and sassy Sugar Kane, who harbors big childhood dreams of becoming a movie star. Other highlights include Sweet Sue (Dequina Moore), the laugh-out-loud funny yet passionate bandleader, and Osgood Fielding III (Edward Juvier), the quirky millionaire who takes an interest in Daphne. I also enjoyed the way the ensemble was utilized throughout the production—everyone truly stood out in each scene!
Photo by Matthew Murphy.
The sets, designed by Scott Pask, are an Art Deco dream, their vibrant, glamorous style evoking the aesthetic of 1930s movie musicals like 42nd Street and Top Hat. Pask’s work transports audiences to places including the picturesque Hotel del Coronado in San Diego, California (where many scenes in the movie were actually filmed). The costumes, designed by Gregg Barnes, only add to that immersive feel, with their beautiful and intricate fashioning!
And when discussing this production, I’d be remiss not to talk about its soaring score, toe-tapping tunes, and charming choreography. I always love musicals with a classic feel—big spectacles with eye-catching numbers and jazzy songs that remain in your head long after the curtains have closed. Needless to say, Some Like It Hot absolutely fits that description! Whether it’s the catchy “Vamp!,” the dreamy “A Darker Shade of Blue,” or the joyful “You Coulda Knocked Me Over With a Feather,” theatergoers will be captivated by every track. (Also, if you, like me, binge-watched the musical drama TV show Smash—also composed by Wittman and Shaiman—you just might recognize the second act opener!) Although it’s difficult to choose, my personal favorite number was “Tip Tap Trouble,” a masterful showstopper where high-energy tap dancing meets a chaotic chase scene, resulting in a combination that has viewers on the edge of their seats.
Photo by Matthew Murphy.