There are some musicals you have no idea what to expect but leave you dancing in your seat, smiling ear to ear, and wanting more. Some Like It Hot on Broadway is definitely that musical.
As a massive fan of the original movie starring Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon, and Tony Curtis, my expectations of the adaption to a musical were apprehensive. But it is nice to be proven wrong in such a good way.
Some Like It Hot, the musical, has been enhanced from the original concept, as the movie was a screwball comedy without any musical numbers. But these musical numbers in the Broadway production improve the idea, make the story more believable, and bring a human side to the narrative.
We follow Joe (Christian Borle) and Jerry (J. Harrison Ghee) as they try to make a buck. They are musicians who witness the gangster murder of Toothpick Charlie (Julius Williams) and are trying to flee the mob.
The mob is slowly closing in, and Joe decides that he and Jerry should join Sweet Sue’s (NaTasha Yvette Williams) band, the only problem being that it is an all-girls band. So, Joe and Jerry quickly become Josephine and Daphne, join the band, and escape Chicago.
Everything is going as planned until Josephine meets Sugar (Adrianna Hicks). Joe feels something for Sugar but worries it might ruin their planned escape. What will he do?
Directed by Casey Nicholaw, Some Like It Hot is a very modern take on a Hollywood classic. The musical keeps true to the story but expands on the idea of identity and being comfortable as your true authentic self. It is a terrific development of the original notion explored with a modern and forward-thinking twist.
Written by Matthew Lopez, of Inheritance fame. Some Like It Hot is a well-written and nicely crafted modern interpretation of cross-dressing and finding one’s true identity.
The themes explored in this musical go a lot deeper than in the film. The idea of wanting to be accurate and finding the confidence to be your authentic self is presented in such a way that it does bring a smile to your face. These are not explored in the original film but lightly touched upon in a time when identity wasn’t generally discussed or presented on the big screen.
J. Harrison Ghee as Jerry/Daphne is outstanding. There is no better way to describe the performance. They immediately draw your attention when they step on stage, and their performance is enthralling.
Some Like It Hot is an outstanding musical that is a lovely welcome. Unsure of what to expect, and to be honest, there have been many film adaptions for the stage that didn’t meet expectations.
But Some Like It Hot is a fun, entertaining musical that is a fantastic creative adaption of the original. It delves deeper into human existence and desperately wants to find oneself and live a truthful and honest life.
Some Like It Hot is currently playing at the Shubert Theater on Broadway.
