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

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Plot

Characters

Name Part Size Gender Vocal Part

Michael Dorsey / Dorothy Michaels

Lead

Male

Tenor

Julie Nichols

Lead

Female

Alto, Mezzo-Soprano

Sandy Lester

Supporting

Female

Alto, Mezzo-Soprano

Max Van Horn

Supporting

Male

Tenor

Jeff Slater

Supporting

Male

Tenor, Baritone, Bass-Baritone

Rita Marshall

Supporting

Female

Alto, Mezzo-Soprano

Ron Carlisle

Supporting

Male

Baritone

Stan Fields

Featured

Male

Non-singer

Ensemble

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

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Scenes

All scenes are the property and copyright of their owners. Scenes are presented on StageAgent for educational purposes only. If you would like to give a public performance of this scene, please obtain authorization from the appropriate licensor.

Key Terms

    Actor

    An actor is a performer who portrays a character in theatre, film, or television through voice, movement, and emotional expression. Actors interpret scripts, collaborate with directors, and bring stories to life for audiences. The term applies to performers of any gender.

    Adaptation

    An adaptation is a reworking of a story from one medium or cultural context into another, such as turning a novel into a play or updating a classic play’s setting. Adaptations often reinterpret themes, characters, and style for new audiences. They can range from faithful recreations to bold reimaginings.

    Auditions

    A presentation of songs and/or monologues as a representation of your talent in front of theatre professionals or college faculty.

    Book Musical

    A musical with a well-structured narrative that integrates songs, dialogue, and dance to advance plot and character development.

    Drag

    A performance style where a performer adopts exaggerated gender expression, often for satire, art, or celebration.

Videos

Quizzes

Themes, Symbols & Motifs

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Quote Analysis

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Guide Written By:

Alexandra Appleton

Alexandra Appleton

Writer, editor and theatre researcher