REVIEW: TOOTSIE (Marquis Theatre) ★★★★

Starring Crazy Ex Girlfriend’s Santino Fontana in the leading role, Tootsie is a comedy musical based on the 1982 film. Michael Dorsey (Fontana) is a struggling actor, who no one will hire because he is so difficult to work with. At the end of his tether and willing to do anything to get a part, Michael becomes Dorothy, taking on a female identity in order to be seen for acting jobs and given a chance. But being a woman comes with its own set of issues as Dorothy finds out in this hilariously camp show.

Santino Fontana does a great job as the leading man/lady Dorothy Michaels, careful not to go too over the top with campiness and femininity to make it look like he is mocking anyone. The rest of the cast all do a great job, with Lilli Cooper as Julie Nichols adding nice layers to the story and understudy Leslie Donna Flesner giving it full out sass as Sandy Lester.

Despite being nominated for eleven Tony awards and winning two, the show is set to close on 5 January after just over nine months on Broadway. The show is set to tour the US in 2020 and there is talk of it coming to the West End after that. With its strong similarities to Mrs Doubtfire, it is understandable that the show will close on Broadway as Mrs D. set to open in March 2020, there isn’t really a place for both shows to run simultaneously on Broadway.

Tootsie is a lot of fun and a great camp night out at the theatre. The songs were enjoyable but I can’t remember a single one of them now which is a shame. Saying that though, the performances, story, costumes and set design were all on point and I would happily go back and watch the show again.

Reviewed by West End Wilma
Photo: Matthew Murphy
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