TOOTSIE closing

[BroadwayBen]

Posted: 1/4/20 at 12:12pm

Does anyone know if they are planning anything special for the closing?  I might grab a single.   I'm interested in seeing it again.  I saw it right after it opened, and I had a really mixed experience.   Unlike most people, I thought the book was the biggest problem.  It was just a series of gags surrounding the story of "Tootsie" and it never gave the any true sense of story.   You didn't buy its premise for a second, so you just sorted of waited for the next gag, and there were a lot.   The score was so/so, but it felt like Yazbeck was following the book's tone, and not allowing the score to give us characters.  But it wasn't bad, it just wasn't very good.  I guess in the 60s or the 80s something like this would have run longer, but theres so much more competition now...

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 1/4/20 at 12:26pm

I saw it again last night and still feel the book is the funniest book of a musical in a loooooong time. I’ll miss this show, I always had a great time seeing it.

[The Other One]

Posted: 1/4/20 at 12:48pm

The book is often very funny.  Its one flaw, beyond Dorothy's job being in a musical and not on a soap, is that the love story never really takes off.  I am not sure if that is due to miscasting, weak chemistry, or, despite an obvious attempt to update it, confusion on everyone's part as to how to handle it in our current climate.  Perhaps this flaw is not inherent in the book at all but in one or more of these outside factors.

I had read many posts about the score being a disappointment. I was surprised by how true that turned out to be.  Still, overall this is a fun show with many strong comic performances and terrific lead work by Santino Fontana.  I'm surprised it is closing quite this fast.  

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 1/4/20 at 1:26pm

A victim of inflated prices. In the past this might have made it. Many people only have a limited amount set aside for shows.This one was one of those we would like to see it but have decided on something else as we cannot see both . There have been many that have fell into this category in the last few years. As prices accelerate so to will shows close prematurely. Just an observation from a retired theatergoer. In the past we would have seen this. Now due to financial and medical issues no can do .The recent no bail fiasco would have been a factor as well.

Happy New Year to one and all

[Theatre Fan3]

Posted: 1/4/20 at 1:27pm

Perhaps it would have been better off as a straight comedy rather than a musical.

[Joe Mayo]

Posted: 1/4/20 at 3:24pm

BroadwayBen said: "Does anyone know if they are planning anything special for the closing? I might grab a single. I'm interested in seeing it again. I saw it right after it opened, and I had a really mixed experience. Unlike most people, I thought the book was the biggest problem. It was just a series of gags surrounding the story of "Tootsie" and it never gave the any true sense of story. You didn't buy its premise for a second, so you just sorted of waited for the next gag, and there were a lot. The score was so/so, but it felt like Yazbeck was following the book's tone, and not allowing the score to give us characters. But it wasn't bad, it just wasn't very good. I guess in the 60s or the 80s something like this would have run longer, but theres so much more competition now..."

If you do decide to go, I've got an extra 3rd row for below face at $115 (adjacent seats are $179).

Feel free to shoot me a message or reply if interested.

I agree with jordan, one of the funniest shows I've seen in awhile, excited to see it tomorrow.

[mpkie]

Posted: 1/4/20 at 4:34pm

I loved this show, saw it twice. I think it has a super clever book with witty self aware jokes but also plenty of silliness that lands for me, particularly with great comedic timing and delivery. Both audiences were riotous with laughter when I saw it.

The score does happen to be its weak point, boring melodies and lyrics, but I thought the orchestration was quite good. It's ironic the score sucks because a central plot point is that Michael Dorsey finds himself in bad musicals with awful lyrics. But Tootsie itself shouldn't be that way.

I'm sad this didn't find its audience. It's no surprise to me it won Best Book, though the ending hangs a little bit without a truly satisfying conclusion. However the encore/curtain call is probably my favorite of all time. With a better score it could have been a hit.

Happy trails.

[ModernMillie3]

Posted: 1/4/20 at 5:13pm

What a fun show. A full theater, everyone laughing and having a great time, funny as all hell. Loved this night at the theater. Everyone seeing it tonight or tomorrow have the BEST time!!! 

[itsjustmejonhotmailcom]

Posted: 1/4/20 at 5:27pm

Mr Roxy said: "A victim of inflated prices. In the past this might have made it. Many people only have a limited amount set aside for shows.This one was one of those we would like to see it but have decided on something else as we cannot see both . There have been many that have fell into this category in the last few years. As prices accelerate so to will shows close prematurely. Just an observation from a retired theatergoer. In the past we would have seen this. Now due to financial and medical issues no can do .The recent no bail fiasco would have been a factor as well.

Happy New Year to one and all"

I don't think that's the case. Attendance and grosses keep breaking records every year - audiences are increasing not decreasing, even though ticket prices have been rising.

[AntV]

Posted: 1/4/20 at 5:33pm

Anyone have an extra lotto ticket for tonight?

I tried rushing on Monday an hour before curtain and the attendant said they only sell rush at 10am. Yet they had a ton of unsold side orchestra seats.

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/4/20 at 5:58pm

For those interested, the closing show is up at TKTS(Lincoln Center) for 40% off. I'd expect it to be there tomorrow, too. TKTS Times Square opens at 11am on Sundays.

[massofmen]

Posted: 1/5/20 at 8:42am

If the two leads had ANY chemistry together at all (or any realness in their bones as actors), this might have worked. Sadly, Mr Fontana and Ms Cooper have zero connection on that stage. 
The secondary characters (thank you title-of-show) hold TOOTSIE together and do a brilliant job.You pray for any of them to come back on stage instead of having to watch the 2 leads try so hard to act and be somewhat charming. 

   I hope it tours so we could have seen what 2 good actors with actual human emotions would have done with those roles instead of the musical theater robots who currently inhabit them. 

[ACL2006]

Posted: 1/5/20 at 9:44am

I enjoyed the show myself and found it very funny. But any scenes without Dorothy fell flat and no of the songs were memorable.

[markypoo]

Posted: 1/5/20 at 9:47am

I wonder if this will tour, or be licensed for regional productions right away.

[Broadway Buddy]

Posted: 1/5/20 at 10:02am

Theatre Fan3 said: "Perhaps it would have been better off as a straight comedy rather than a musical."

I disagree with a lot of people on this, but I love the score

[MollyJeanneMusic]

Posted: 1/5/20 at 10:20am

markypoo said: "I wonder if this will tour, or be licensed for regional productions right away."

I think they did announce a tour and some sit down productions overseas, but MTI has the rights, so it should be available for licensing sooner rather than later.

[AntV]

Posted: 1/5/20 at 11:20am

If anyone has an extra rush or lottery ticket for today let me know.

Is anyone on the rush line now? Are they doing rush?

Edit: rush sold out at 12:15

Updated On: 1/5/20 at 11:20 AM

[AntV]

Posted: 1/5/20 at 6:44pm

I ended up buying a $62 rear orchestra ticket an hour before showtime on Tickpick. Good app, no fees makes it cheaper than stubhub. Minutes before showtime rear mezz tickets went as low as $27.

A nice final performance, no audience screaming, just extended applause for all the lead entrances and after big jokes. A speech by Julie Halston at the end thanking everyone and the creatives in attendance.

[DiscoCrows]

Posted: 1/5/20 at 6:56pm

AntV said: "I ended up buying a $62 rear orchestra ticket an hour before showtime on Tickpick. Good app, no fees makes it cheaper than stubhub. Minutes before showtime rear mezz tickets went as low as $27.

A nice final performance, no audience screaming, just extended applause for all the lead entrances and after big jokes. A speech by Julie Halston at the end thanking everyone and the creatives in attendance."

Sounds nice. Thanks for the report! Best wishes to cast, crew, and other affiliates as they move onwards and find their next projects.

 

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 1/5/20 at 10:02pm

Saw this show 4x. One of the funniest shows of 2019 for me. I’ll miss having it on Broadway. Happy trails to all involved.

[ImAProphet]

Posted: 1/6/20 at 6:55am

I saw the show for the first (only ?) time yesterday and had a great time. Actually one of the funnier shows I've seen and I'm so glad I decided to go.

I was watching to see if anything felt like it was changed for closing. The only thing that stuck out to me was Sandy trying to tear the blanket, struggling for a while, but then eventually managing to rip it a little and saying "I did it!" I feel like she may not have torn it in previous performances - am I right? And is there anything else I missed?

[Broadway Buddy]

Posted: 1/6/20 at 8:15am

I was watching to see if anything felt like it was changed for closing. The only thing that stuck out to me was Sandy trying to tear the blanket, struggling for a while, but then eventually managing to rip it a little and saying "I did it!" I feel like she may not have torn it in previous performances - am I right? And is there anything else I missed?"

She never managed to do it but that’s really funny how for the last show she finally did it! Only took 8.5 months for her to rip it just a little!

[Dollypop]

Posted: 1/6/20 at 6:35pm

To me the weakest part of the show wasn't the score but, rather, the choreography. It looked like an advanced aerobics class.

[PatrickDC]

Posted: 1/8/20 at 2:33am

Now that it’s closed I’m really hoping a bootleg video of Santino’s curtain call quick change surfaces. That was added for Broadway; in Chicago he didn’t change and stayed on stage in his street clothes. I can’t remember if Ron’s dance medley was in Chicago or added to give time for Santino’s change. 
 

I didn’t hate Tootsie, but didn’t enjoy it as much as others. I much preferred Mrs Doubtfire in Seattle in mid-December. The performance did not seem like an out of town tryout but rather was in great shape to transfer with minimal changes. There will be countless comparisons but I feel critics and audiences will think Doubtfire is the superior show. 

[sparksatmidnight]

Posted: 1/8/20 at 5:19am

I'm not sure I got your post right, PatrickDC, but there are several videos of the curtain call on youtube including Santino as Dottie