Overview
Synopsis
Michael Dorsey is a skilled actor with a talent for not keeping a job. His volatile, stubborn nature gives him a reputation for being a difficult actor and a director’s worst nightmare. After a string of failed auditions, Michael is turning forty and desperate. He is further riled when his best friend and roommate, Jeff, reminds him of the ambitious ‘To-Do List’ he made to accomplish before he turned forty. Michael has a bright idea and decides to make one last-ditch effort at achieving theatrical success. Dressed in drag, he attends his next audition as actress Dorothy Michaels. Sure enough, Dorothy is cast as the lead in the new, Broadway-bound musical, Juliet’s Nurse, and Michael/Dorothy experiences a meteoric rise to stardom. Promising that “I Won’t Let You Down”, Dorothy soon has audiences falling at her feet. Looking at the world through Dorothy’s eyes, Michael has a life-changing epiphany: “Women listen to each other.” He becomes close friends with his co-star Julie and it isn’t long before Michael (disguised as Dorothy) starts to fall for her. Can Michael sustain his greatest acting challenge or will he reveal the truth and be true to himself? Adapted from the 1982, Tootsie is a hilarious crowd-pleaser that enjoys poking fun at Broadway musical theatre.
Show Information
- Book
- Robert Horn
- Music
- David Yazbek
- Lyrics
- David Yazbek
- Based on the Play/Book/Film
- Tootsie (1982 film)
- Category
- Musical
- Age Guidance
- Mature Audiences (M)
- Number of Acts
- 2
- First Produced
- 2018
- Genres
- Comedy
- Settings
- Contemporary, Multiple Settings
- Time & Place
- Broadway, New York City, Present Day
- Cast Size
- medium
- Orchestra Size
- Medium
- Dancing
- Musical Staging
- Licensor
- Music Theatre International
- Ideal For
- College/University, Professional Theatre, Regional Theatre, Star Vehicle Male, Mostly Male Cast, Includes Adult, Mature Adult, Young Adult Characters, Medium Cast
Context
Plot
Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Lead |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Lead |
Female |
Alto, Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto, Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Tenor, Baritone, Bass-Baritone |
|
|
Supporting |
Female |
Alto, Mezzo-Soprano |
|
|
Supporting |
Male |
Baritone |
|
|
Featured |
Male |
Non-singer |
|
|
Ensemble |
Either Gender |
|
Songs
Act One
- "Opening Number" - Ensemble, Michael
- "Whaddya Do" - Michael
- "What's Gonna Happen" - Sandy
- "Whaddya Do" (Reprise) - Michael
- "I Won't Let You Down" - Dorothy
- "I'm Alive" - Julie, Ron, Max, Dorothy, Ensemble
- "There Was John" - Julie, Dorothy
- "I Like What She's Doing" - Rita, Julie, Stuart, Suzie, Ron, Max, Dorothy, Ensemble
- "Who Are You?" - Michael, Julie
- "What's Gonna Happen" (Reprise) - Sandy
- "Unstoppable" - Michael/Dorothy
Act Two
- "Jeff Sums It Up" - Jeff, Michael
- "Gone, Gone, Gone" - Julie, Female Trio
- "Who Are You?" (Reprise) - Julie
- "This Thing" - Max
- "Whaddya Do" (Reprise) - Jeff, Michael
- "The Most Important Night of My Life" - Max, Suzie, Stuart, Rita, Ron, Ensemble
- "Talk to Me Dorothy" - Michael
- "Arrivederci!" - Dorothy, Julie, Max, Ensemble
- "What's Gonna Happen" (Reprise) - Sandy
- "Thank You" ("Talk to Me Dorothy" Reprise) - Michael
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
A male or female person who performs a role in a play, work of theatre, or movie.
A play, musical, or opera that has been adapted from a written work.
A presentation of songs and/or monologues as a representation of your talent in front of theatre professionals or college faculty.
A production in which musical numbers and dances are fully integrated into a proper narrative with defined dramatic goals.
Performance of gender expression, often when men imitate or exaggerate a feminine style.
Videos
Quizzes
Themes, Symbols & Motifs
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Quote Analysis
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Guide Written By:
Alexandra Appleton
Writer, editor and theatre researcher