Lukas James Miller

What did our critic think of Tootsie in Costa Mesa? Despite a still problematic central premise, the non-equity national tour of the stage adaptation of TOOTSIE---now playing at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa through June 12, 2022---is, for the most part, a funny but flawed musical sprinkled with lots of funny lines, rapid-fire humor, and amusing shenanigans.

Broadway Sacramento is closing out their 2022 Broadway on Tour season with the first national tour of Tootsie.  Based on the 1982 film of the same name, Tootsie features music and lyrics by David Yazbek (The Band’s Visit, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels) and a Tony Award-winning book by Robert Horn.  Rolling Stone called it “musical comedy heaven” and they’re not wrong.   Easily the funniest show of the season, Tootsie is full of one-liners, sarcastic wit, and self-deprecating humor. 

Read our critic's review. TOOTSIE  the musical brings an old-fashioned musical to life based on the movie of the same name from 1982.  The show offers up a talented cast, physical comedy, and some updates to the story, but can’t fully disguise a problematic premise under comedy, costumes, and choreography.  TOOTSIE is playing at the San Diego Civic Theatre through Sunday, April 17th,

TOOTSIE  the musical is bringing the hijinks from the 1982 hit movie (with some modern updates) to the stage.  Playing at the San Diego Civic Theatre from Tuesday, April 11th to Sunday, April 17th, Lukas James Miller brings a new character to the show, Max Van Horn.  Miller talks about the show, and his character, and warns that you may laugh so much you can skip your ab workout.

Tootsie is a new musical based on the 1982 film starring Dustin Hoffman. The story follows Michael Dorsey ('Is he an actor? Yes, of course, he is. Is he successful? Yes, of course, he's not') and the opening number immediately makes his rotten reputation evident and known.

A New Musical About Making a New Musical #TootsieATL #BroadwayAtlanta #atthefox

The musical Tootsie, now playing at the National Theater in Washington, DC, has exceptionally good intentions and flashes of show-biz brio but it tries to do too many disparate things at once. Of course, the cultural zeitgeist of the brilliant film is pervasive in the “mind’s eye” but that should ideally be of little concern with a musical that veers into making differing choices appropriate for the stage.

In the oft-repeated words of the character Sandy, sung in a hilarious patter-fest at strategic points in the musical of Tootsie, playing this week only at the Hippodrome, 'I know what's going to happen.' What's going to happen is that you will attend the show and have an uproarious good time.

Get a first look at the non-equity national tour of Tootsie in all new photos and videos! The cast includes Drew Becker as Michael Dorsey, Ashley Alexandra as Julie Nichols, Payton Reilly as Sandy Lester, Lukas James Miller as Max Von Horn, Jared David Michael Grant as Jeff Slater, Kathy Halenda as Rita Marshall, Steve Brustien as Stan Fields, and Adam du Plessis as Ron Carlisle.

A little after the clock struck on the half hour, the national touring production of Cinderella began. At the top of show, puppetry ensues with a massive praying mantis taking center stage that is eventually defeated by Prince Topher, played by Lukas James Miller. Then the audience quickly understands that we are in for one magical night of folderol and fiddle dee that somehow becomes entirely possible live on stage. From start to finish, the fairytale is richly presented with wonderfully well-cast performers, delightful performances, and gorgeous classic music and lyrics by the famed writing team of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II.

Nowadays, when you go a musical on Broadway or elsewhere, chances are the orchestra isn't in full view. Gone are the days when you were able to look in the orchestra pit and see the musicians. For all you know, they could be playing in a totally different room.