With Laughs as Big as the Jazz Age Itself, Some Like It Hot Combines Old Hollywood Charm with Broadway Brilliance.

December 3rd, 2024

If you’re looking for a musical that blends laugh-out-loud comedy with show-stopping performances, Broadway’s rendition of Some Like It Hot is must-see. This Tony and Grammy Award-winning production reinvents the beloved 1959 film with a fresh, modern twist, making it a true standout on Broadway. Tarra Conner Jones, an Audelco Award recipient portraying Sweet Sue, introduces the performance with the quick and feisty number, “What Are You Thirsty For?” Indeed, the gripping opening act makes us thirsty for the rest of the show.

Set during the Prohibition era, the story follows two musicians who, after witnessing a mob hit by Spats – featuring Devon Goffman from classics tours of Titanic and Grease, disguise themselves as women and join an all-female band to escape their pursuers. Starring Matt Loehr as Joe/Josephine and Tavis Kordell as Jerry/Daphne, their journey is a rollercoaster of hilarity and heart. An established actor, Loehr has featured in several Broadway casts such as Elder McKinley in The Book of Mormon, Elf, and Mary Poppins. Excited to make his national tour debut, Kordell has participated in other captivating performances such as The Color Purple, The Wild Party, and SpongeBob SquarePants.  

Through Joe and Jerry’s unexpected adventures, they encounter a charismatic singer, Leandra Ellis-Gaston as Sugar, chasing stardom. This isn’t the first time audiences have experienced her sultry voice as she previously starred in Broadway’s SIX as Anne Boleyn. Her personal mission involves “inspiring Black women to shine in the spotlight,” which we certainly see accomplished in this production. The self-proclaimed Tip Tap Twins also come across the wealthy romantic, Edward Juvier as Osgood who toured with Les Miserables and The Phantom of the Opera, who’s determined to win true love. The show deftly balances its screwball comedy roots with moments of genuine emotion, creating a narrative that is both engaging and entertaining.

The creative team behind Some Like It Hot is a powerhouse of talent. The book, written by Tony-winner Matthew López (The Inheritance) and comedian Amber Ruffin, is sharp, witty, and delightfully self-aware. Meanwhile, the vibrant score by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman (Hairspray) breathes new life into the story, offering toe-tapping numbers that range from jazzy showpieces to heartfelt ballads. The choreography, directed by Tony-winning Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon, Mean Girls), is nothing short of spectacular, with high-energy dance sequences that dazzle from start to finish.

Visually, the production is a feast for the eyes, featuring stunning period costumes and glamorous sets that transport audiences to the glitz and grit of the Roaring Twenties. The cast delivers across the board, with standout performances that capture the charm, wit, and vulnerability of their characters.

Whether you’re a fan of the original film or new to the story, Some Like It Hot promises “a glorious, toe-tapping, razzle-dazzling” night at the theater. It’s a super-sized, all-out song-and-dance spectacular that leaves audiences laughing, cheering, and tapping their toes long after the curtain falls.