Tootsie Reviews

Bob Stenzel from Chicago, Illinois

TOOTSIE IS TERRIFIC

Loved it, daring Dorothy does it perfectlly. Santino Fontana is outstanding and makes it look easy. Every cast member is great. Want to see it again.

Sheri Levin from Milwaukee

READY FOR BROADWAY NOW

Saw the 3rd preview performance of Tootsie in Chicago at the Seot. 15 matinee and everything about it was the outstanding! That includes the story, the acting, music, costumes, dance and all else. It kept us laughing to tears and the time flew. It is NOW ready for Broadway and should be a tough ticket to get there. Definitely recommend it. We walked down the block to the restaurant 312 which was so convenient and excellent.

NS from Chicago, Illinois

GREAT COMEDY; FORMULA MUSIC; HAVEN’T LAUGHED SO HARD IN YEAR

It took me a bit to realize the opening number was a parody of an opening number, as I was settling in for a ho-hum evening in response. The shift came during “Dorothy’s” audition, where Santino Fontana pulls off a show-stopper. Once the show took off, it was a comic genius, reminding me of FunnynThing Happened...inits patter and comic delivery. The music was at its best in the comic numbers like “You F**d Up”, as much for the delivery as the music. The rest of the score was formula at best, as is a lot of show music in our era unfortunately. All that said, I was entertained and laughed till it hurt, and even without tweaking, I would predict an enthusiastic reception in NY (where I am from). It did leave me thinking about just how much B’way loves to gaze at its own navel, since 42nd Street through Chorus Line and many others, the “let’s put on a show!’ fallback is alive and well. Tootsie was a hoot...already recommended it to my NY friends.

Kristy from Rockford, Illinois

PERFECT "TOOTSIE ROLE"

Santino Fontana certainly makes this musical sing! It departs just enough from the original film to keep it fresh, yet still familiar. While some of the songs weren't incredibly memorable or catchy, the performances were stellar and the writing quick and witty. I recommend this for a good date night, And back to Santino, I don't think I could picture anyone better for this "Tootsie Role"

ChicagoBears from Chicago, Illinois

FUN PLAY, FAIR MUSICAL

Was surprised at the new take on this story... enjoyed the cast, the storyline, the one- liners, the production. As a play with a bit of music- it was a good comedy with some drama and heart. As a musical- it was fair, but not big hit songs that rocked the house. Overall worth seeing.. I do wonder if they will do any more tweaks before Broadway? ps Jeff was awesome!

Gini Hartzmark from Chicago, Illinois

SNOOZIE, THE MUSICAL

Scored half-price tickets for Tootsie on a discount site and decided that $45 for main floor seats to a legitimate Broadway (bound) show was a deal I couldn't pass up and at that price it was a good time. If I had paid more I would have felt robbed. Not that it's about the money. I go to a lot of theater, I am in New York for business every other month and I have probably seen every (non-Disney) musical that's played in the last two years. And I've got to say, Tootsie falls short. The story, adapted from the highly lauded movie, is formulaic at best and while the actors are excellent, they aren't given much to work with in terms of character. Every one of them is a cardboard cliche and while there is some sharp comedic writing and genuinely funny moments, they aren't enough to carry the production. The music is insipid and the lyrics dreadful. Really dreadful. In Act Two Julie, in the nightclub scene, belts out a list of cliches.

Pete Strop from Chicago, Illinois

BOOKS IS BETTER THAN THE MUSIC

It's an enjoyable night. The comedic elements are terrific, both in the book and in the music. Performers' timing is great. The overall music, however, is just not memorable. It's sluggish in pacing in places. The lyrics are not strong, and the audio mix the night we were there was poor. The romantic relationship is not terribly believable and there's not one non-comedic number that stands out. The staging and sets are fanastic and Broadway-ready.

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