TOOTSIE Reviews

[Broadway Fan2]

It’s creepy to see all the buzz around this musical given that Dustin Hoffman, who played the main character in the movie Tootsie was accused by several women of sexual assault not long ago. Wonder how his victims feel about it.

[dmwnc1959]

^ ^ ^ And that was the absolute furthest thing from my mind during this entire discussion of the show. Matter of fact, it wasn’t even in my mind. Until you put it there. Thanks. But, no thanks.

[MrsSallyAdams]

I didn't love this show, just as I didn't love Kinky Boots. Part of it is I take the premise too seriously, asking myself questions about sexuality, gender identity and workplace harassment laws.

I'd love to see what Taylor Mac could have done with this premise, but then only a fraction of the current audience would want to see it.

[OhHiii]

Broadway Fan2 said: "It’s creepy to see all the buzz around this musical given that Dustin Hoffman, who played the main character in the movie Tootsie was accused by several women of sexual assault not long ago. Wonder how his victims feel about it."

Considering that Hoffman is nowhere near this production nor does he stand to benefit from it in any way, where the heck did this come from? All due respect and sympathy to Hoffman's accusers, but there's not so much a shred of him in this show and the creators have gone to great lengths to address sexist themes and misogynistic behavior in the piece. 

 

[DramaTeach]

^ I agree. Happy for all involved that they got great reviews, but my friends and I weren’t as impressed. Definitely funny, but trying too hard to be “woke” which is interesting since they already had one issue (didn’t think that line was controversial when I heard it, just rolled my eyes as everyone clapped at the self-righteousness of it all). It’ll be interesting to see how this show does with reviews vs. word of mouth.

[Zion24]

Very happy to read these reviews, even though I didnt love the show. Whats interesting is that I dont really disagree with these raves in the sense that what they are praising (the wit, humor, performances) is indeed praiseworthy. If anything, I'd argue that the fact that this might be the best musical of the season says more about the current state of broadway than anything: a hilarious, clever show that also has great music? Never gonna happen. 

I do think this reception shakes up the Tony races a bit. Its a lock for Actor and Book, right? Hadestown has real competition, and I think Lilli Cooper could sneak into Actress- she certainly got better notices than Noblezada. 

[Mister Matt]

Definitely funny, but trying too hard to be “woke”

And if it didn't try, it would be ravaged even worse.  

If anything, I'd argue that the fact that this might be the best musical of the season says more about the current state of broadway than anything: a hilarious, clever show that also has great music? Never gonna happen. 

Personally, I think Tootsie checks all those boxes.  This is the show I was hoping Kinky Boots would be and yet somehow Kinky Boots managed to get Tonys for Score and Musical for what I found to be a completely forgettable show and score.  Even after hearing the cast recording several times, the only tune I can recall is:

"The most beautiful thing in the world!
The most beautiful thing in the world, Charlie
It's beautiful!
It's beautiful!"

If that show can win Tonys over Matilda for Score and Musical (not to mention Choreography), then Tootsie has a MORE than a fair shot at winning.

At any rate, I love this quote from the Rolling Stone review because I agree 100%:

"The infectious score, music and lyrics, is by David Yazbek, who won the Tony last year for his groundbreaking The Band’s Visit. Yazbek imbues Tootsie with pop, jazz, blues, funk, patter, sophisticated rhythms and old-school Broadway brass. He’s a musical virtuoso."

[HeyMrMusic]

OhHiii said: "Broadway Fan2 said: "It’s creepy to see all the buzz around this musical given that Dustin Hoffman, who played the main character in the movie Tootsie was accused by several women of sexual assault not long ago. Wonder how his victims feel about it."

Considering that Hoffman is nowhere near this production nor does he stand to benefit from it in any way, where the heck did this come from? All due respect and sympathy to Hoffman's accusers, but there's not so much a shred of him in this show and the creators have gone to great lengths to address sexist themes and misogynistic behavior in the piece."

Actually, right on the main Playbill credits page, it says “Based on the story by Don McGuire and Larry Gelbart and the Columbia Pictures motion picture produced by Punch Productions and starring Dustin Hoffman.” Hoffman’s name is even in all caps. So there is a huge reminder right on the first page. In fact, his name is right about Santino’s name.

[dmwnc1959]

^ ^ ^ Still don’t care. Like it was said before, with all due respect to the victims.

Still don’t care.

“I wonder what it must feel like to have an irrepressible need to be offended on someone else's behalf. I wish everyone could be happy, but I'm getting tired of being forced to throw away my own happiness and enjoyment of life in case it offends some one”. -

- Anonymous

[HeyMrMusic]

I was just responding to the “he’s nowhere near this production” comment. He’s actually credited in big font and all caps.

[dmwnc1959]

^ ^ ^ I know. It’s just that someone has to bring these things up to bring things down.

[JudyDenmark]

Mister Matt said: "Personally, I think Tootsie checks all those boxes. This is the show I was hoping Kinky Boots would be and yet somehow Kinky Boots managed to get Tonys for Score and Musical for what I found to be a completely forgettable show and score. 
If that show can win Tonys over Matilda for Score and Musical (not to mention Choreography), then Tootsie has a MORE than a fair shot at winning.

At any rate, I love this quote from the Rolling Stone review because I agree 100%:

"The infectious score, music and lyrics, is by David Yazbek, who won the Tony last year for his groundbreakingThe Band’s Visit. Yazbek imbuesTootsiewith pop, jazz, blues, funk, patter, sophisticated rhythms and old-school Broadway brass. He’s a musical virtuoso.""

Couldn’t agree more on Kinky Boots (that winning score over Matilda is the one Tony I’ll probably never be over, lol). And I actually enjoyed the Tootsie score quite a bit - I’m looking forward to the recording to hear a bunch of it again. Yazbek is arguably my favorite working composer. 

But if there is ANY award this year that is (imho) signed sealed and delivered, it’s Hadestown for Score. 

[Fredrich Yeager]

He's credited for legal reasons and to bring in publicity, but that doesn't mean he had anything to do with the show. I have a good faith basis to believe that Hoffman has not even been to see the show yet. Also much of the musical seems to be actively working to distance itself from the Dustin Hoffman movie.

Also, doing an adaptation of a work that happened to be connected to an abuser (that wasn't even created by an abuser, just simply acted in by) is by no means offensive?? I genuinely don't know how OP is upset by this. 

I mean for goodness sakes, there is arguably no greater contributor to modern Broadway theatre than Eugene O'Neill, who was a flagrant racist and sexist, abused his wives, and abandoned his children. Should we throw out all of Broadway too in our attempt to "cancel" him? 

[Lot666]

bdn223 said: "I have a weird feeling this season is going to turn into a Kinky Boots vs Matilda where Hadestown’s producers overplay their hands as the expected frontrunner, allowing for a big hearted musical Tootsie (or possibly The Prom) to get the hearts and votes of Tony voters."

I can see this.

[Zion24]

- i only first saw kinky boots this year and was actually blown away by the score (Land of Lola, Sex is in the Heel, History of Wrong Guys particularly) but to each their own. 

- i would still be shocked if Hadestown doesnt win score- that music is beautiful throughout; with Tootsie having the winning book and Hadestown the winning score, it really will be interesting which the Tonys give best show

- it is hilarious to me that we have now moved beyond "XYZ did bad things, we cant ever appreciate his art/performances ever again!" to "XYZ did bad things (allegedly, is that even worth mentioning anymore or nah?), we cant ever appreciate works based on other works he was once in!"  No real love for Dustin Hoffman here but laying his misdeeds at the feet of this production is just plain hilarious (and precisely the sorta lunacy that *hurts* not helps the absolute need for more accountability in this industry)

 

[BdwyFan]

bdn223 said: "I have a weird feeling this season is going to turn into a Kinky Boots vs Matilda where Hadestown’s producers overplay their hands as the expected frontrunner, allowing for a big hearted musical Tootsie (or possibly The Prom) to get the hearts and votes of Tony voters."

^  yup, this is exactly what will happen.  

[Rogerdellibovi]

So many male reviewers saying how “feminist” and “woke” the show was....... I can’t help but think about how much better it would be if they had a woman on the creative team! (This can be said for so many of the shows this season and forever to be fair). I only saw it in Chicago but, it just rubbed me the wrong way. I’m glad that it got good reviews because I love the cast but the writing just gave me a headache.

[Mike Barrett]

Id be shocked if this wins best musical. Thats not say this is of bad quality or the show is bad, but after last years ignoring of the movie musicals, to give this show best musical over Hadestown would forever make the Tony's unpredictable for me. I think Hadestown is still the clear favorite, with Tootsie and The Prom being a clear 2 and 3. 

[DAME]

What a fun show.  So happy for the good reviews.  Don't let the Tony award race  hide the fact that a new musical comedy opened on broadway and many people will be seeing it and having a great time.  It reminded me of the days of I love My Wife,  Woman Of The Year, and They're Playing Our Song, to name a few.    What joy.  What a fun night at the theater.  

[Miles2Go2]

The Tony Awards are at their best when they’re unpredictable:

Avenue Q winning over Wicked
Kinky Boots winning over Matilda

Even if you disagree with the results, you can’t deny that it’s interesting

[Mike Barrett]

Miles2Go2 said: "The Tony Awards are at their best when they’re unpredictable:

Avenue Q winning over Wicked
Kinky Boots winning over Matilda

Even if you disagree with the results, you can’t deny that it’s interesting"

Oh, it totally is! Hopefully my comment wasn't snarky, as Im glad we have a race. In my head its been Hadestown since they announced their transfer, so Im pleased with the reviews this show is getting. Im also choosing this show over Hadestown anyways lol. 

[Miles2Go2]

I have to admit I’ve been excited about Tootsie since before its Chicago tryout (and I have only seen the movie once) so I’m kinda pulling for it. As far as Hadestown, the music has never pulled me in so my interest has been more of a slow burn. That being said, it is rare for me to enjoy a cast recording before I see the show. So we’ll see after I’m finally lucky enough to see both (probably in November).

Even though I was passionate about The Band’s Visit deserving Tony Awards last year, I am pulling for the underdog this year. But I haven’t seen Hadestown, Tootsie or The Prom (or any of the Broadway musicals of this season) so what do I know?! Lol

*I’ve seen a lot more of this season’s plays

[dramamama611]

This 'feels' like the best reviewed show of the season.   I know that doesn't mean anything, necessarily for the Tony Awards, but it puts Tootsie AS the frontrunner, yes?

 

This on my list of what to see, but after a number of other shows (Oklahoma, Constitution and Hilary and Clinton.)

[Mike Barrett]

dramamama611 said: "This 'feels' like the best reviewed show of the season. I know that doesn't mean anything, necessarily for the Tony Awards, but it puts Tootsie AS the frontrunner, yes?



This on my list of what to see, but after a number of other shows (Oklahoma, Constitution and Hilary and Clinton.)"

I feel Hadestwon and Tootsie got equally positive reviews. Both seem to accomplish what they're going for. I do see a lot of comparison to Kinky Boots vs Matilda (which was also the first broadway season I truly followed, and this is the first broadway season I've consistently attended, so thats kinda cool for me) but I still think Hadestown will grab this. Like Miles said, I haven't seen either show though so what do I know! Got my tickets for Tootsie though :) 

[BroadwayBaby6]

dramamama611 said: "This 'feels' like the best reviewed show of the season. I know that doesn't mean anything, necessarily for the Tony Awards, but it puts Tootsie AS the frontrunner, yes?

I think Santino Fontana (Best Actor in a Musical) and Robert Horn (Best Book of a musical) are both shoo-ins for a TONY. I would bet on TOOTSIE also winning best musical. It's a show that will do well on tour and it's a lot more accessible than Hadestown.