Throughout history the plot of men dressing as women has been popular in the world of entertainment. From Shakespeare to “Mrs. Doubtfire” and more, it has been a favorite go-to for storytellers.
Arguably the king – or queen – of gender-bending movies and shows is “Some Like It Hot.” Made famous with the 1959 Billy Wilder directed film featuring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemon – which was itself an adaptation of the 1935 French Film “Fanfare of Love” – it remains to many the standard bearer.
Why does this formula consistency work? It’s quite simple, really, when something is funny it stands the rest of time. The best humor was funny then, it is now, and it will be 100 years from now.
The musical version of “Some Like It Hot” is at Bass Hall through April 19 as the latest in the Performing Arts Fort Worth Broadway at the Bass Series Presented by PNC Bank.
Set in the early 1930s as the prohibition era is nearing its end, the story remains the same as before for the most part – only this time with razzamatazz choreography and music that runs the gauntlet with styles ranging from effervescent energy to comfortable serenades.
Two musician friends, Joe and Jerry (played by Matt Lohr and Tavis Kordell) must go on the run after witnessing a mob hit. After ducking into a ladies’ dressing room (with ladies out), they concoct a plan to take on new identities as female musicians (Joe becomes Josephine and Jerry becomes Daphne). They join an all-female band organized by nightclub performer Sweet Sue (Dequina Moore), plotting to go with them to San Diego, where they hope to then cross the border into Mexico to safety.
Sue, of course, has no idea she just hired two men. While she’s dreaming of making it big in the music world, they’re just trying their best not being taken out of this world.
Things go along fine – until love, as it so often does, comes into play. Joe/Josephine falls in love with the band’s lead singer, Sugar (Leandra Ellis-Gaston). Meanwhile Jerry/Daphne finds himself/herself in the dilemma of avoiding the advances of the wealthy and bubbly Osgood (Edward Juviar), who thinks he is pursuing the female love of his life.
Much like with Dustin Hoffman’s character in “Tootsie” or Tom Hanks in “Bosom Buddies” (Google it kids, great show that helped put Hanks on the map), a moment of truth arrives. Even the best-laid plans get derailed when faced with the challenge of letting the person they love know their true identity.
It’s all happening amidst some sizzling choreography from Casey Nicholaw, who won a Tony Award for his work on the Broadway version. You might recognize some of his other notable works, including “The Book of Mormon,” which was at Bass not so long ago, and “Spamalot,” which is coming April 28 and starring Fort Worth’s own Major Attaway. While he actually did work on both Spamalot and Aladdin he didn’t work with the current group or with Major Attaway.
A featured part of the dancing as a member of the ensemble is Keller native Stephen Michael Langton (also an understudy). Formerly a star of “Newsies,” this is his longest run ever in a show as he is closing in on 600 performances.
A must for stories such as this to click at the highest level is chemistry – most notably between the stars. Many great movies and stage presentations have fallen flat because something just didn’t connect between the main characters.
The chemistry between Loehr and Kordell works wonderfully. Their tap dancing routine in “You Can’t Have Me (If You Don’t Have Him)” is both stunning and flawless.
The stage screams with vibrance immediately as Moore belts out the opening number, “What Are You Thirsty For?” And Ellis-Gaston’s voice is as sweet as her character’s name.
At its core, the message of “Some Like It Hot” is one of true love and personal acceptance. Only in finding one’s true self can we also find solace and freedom – and sometimes we have to step out of what has become normal for us to find that true identity.
The story also challenges traditional masculinity and femininity. Turns out men and women aren’t all that different after all.
But the journey to finding that out never ceases to be funny.
Some Like it Hot
At Bass Performance Hall
525 Commerce St., Fort Worth
Now through April 19 Tickets and showtimes: https://www.basshall.com/somelikeithot
Note: The production has mild language, adult themes regarding identity, and stylized violence (gunshots). It is basically PG-13.
