The Academy Award-winning movie Some Like It Hot is a classic and very much a product of its time. It took place in 1929, shortly before musical movies like 42nd Street became smash hits. It was released in 1959, when the biggest musical on Broadway was The Music Man with its large ensemble and lavish dance numbers. Since then, there have been fewer and fewer new musicals in the “old Broadway” style of 42nd Street and The Music Man. The new musical production of Some Like It Hot at the Shubert Theatre does an excellent job capturing the old style while feeling completely fresh.
Some Like It Hot tells the story of two musicians in Prohibition-era Chicago who witness a gang murder and must disappear for their safety. They do this by pretending to be women, complete with dresses and makeup. An adaptation of it in 2022 could feel dated, with the topics of cross-dressing and gender identity being far more visible now, but the new Broadway musical production does an excellent job handling it sensitively. The book for this stage show was written by Tony-winning playwright Matthew Lopez and TV writer/host Amber Ruffin. The two of them kept the structure of the original film but approached it with a more modern perspective. In this version, the mere act of cross-dressing isn’t played for laughs (in fact, the biggest running joke in the show is about how old the character of Joe/Josephine seems). Instead, the situation of being on the run and taking on new identities makes way for self-discovery. Jerry comes to embrace his identity as Daphne and ends up realizing how comfortable he is in both identities. Perhaps the best line of the show comes when Joe asks Jerry/Daphne what he should refer to him as, with the response, “either is fine as long as you do it with love and respect.” The journey both characters go on through their circumstance feels meaningful and heartfelt.
The score from Broadway mainstays Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman blend in perfectly with the Prohibition era. The music is largely in the genre of jazz and big band numbers that fit seamlessly. There’s some clever wordplay in the lyrics while you tap your feet to the tunes. There is also excellent choreography from powerhouse director and choreographer Casey Nicholaw. Some Like It Hot delivers some of the finest large-scale dance numbers on Broadway, highlighted by some brilliant tap dance numbers.
The cast of Some Like It Hot is truly magnificent. The breakout star is J. Harrison Ghee (who uses both he and they pronouns) as Jerry/Daphne. Over the course of the show, Ghee’s character Jerry begins to feel at home as Daphne, learning that he’s happier and more confident than he’s ever been as Daphne. The song “You Coulda Knocked Me Over With A Feather” is Ghee’s moment to shine, delivering meaningful lyrics in a show-stopping number. Two-time Tony Award-winner Christian Borle plays Joe/Josephine with hilarity. Borle provides most of the comedy, feeling uncomfortable balancing both identities while trying to express his feelings for Sugar and flee the Chicago mob. Borle is at his best when he’s having fun on stage, and he gets to have a blast in this role. Adrianna Hicks plays Sugar, the role originated by Marilyn Monroe in the movie. Hicks puts a completely original take on the character, making Sugar less ditzy and more ambitious toward her goal of making it big in Hollywood. Kevin Del Aguila plays Osgood, the funniest character in the show, to perfection. His line deliveries as well as his body movement are all played for maximum hilarity. Rounding out the main cast with a booming voice is NaTasha Yvette Williams as Sweet Sue, the bandleader.
Some Like It Hot is a return the classic musical comedy. It brilliantly balances the styles of “old Broadway” with modern perspectives. With so many contemporary musicals on Broadway, it’s refreshing to have a new show that feels vintage. Some Like It Hot is an enjoyable crowd-pleaser able to delight audiences young and old.