“Some Like It Hot” Sizzles at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre
Lady Beverly Cohn
Hip, Hip, Hooray! The First National Touring Company of Some Like It Hot tapped its way into the hearts of the opening night audience at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre. Trust me when I say this is the best musical I’ve seen in a very long time. Based on the classic MGM film directed by Billy Wilder, which has been named the “Funniest American Movie of All Time” by the American Film Institute, features book by Matthew López and Amber Ruffin, music by Marc Shaiman, lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman. With awesome direction and spectacular choreography by Casey Nicholaw, this is one heck of an entertaining theatre experience.
His original dance routines, with a new spin on the old, are executed by the principals and a highly-trained troop of awesome young dancers. Briefly, for those of you who might not be familiar with the storyline of this enduring classic, the action is set in Chicago during the height of Prohibition. Two musicians - Joe, brilliantly played by actor/hoofer/singer Matt Loehr and his buddy Jerry, an outstanding Tavis Kordell, whose stage presence is mesmerizing from his acting and singing, to those incredible precision tap sequences that he and Loehr perform during this two-act, unrelenting entertaining production.
These two struggling musicians unwittingly witness a gangland execution by a notorious gangster named Spats Columbo, perfectly characterized by Devon Goffman. They have to run for their lives and the only solution is to join a women’s band under the leadership of Sweet Sue played by Leandra Ellis-Gaston, who fills the house with her belting voice and commanding stage presence. So, the two musicians dressed as women – Josephine (saxophone) and Daphne (bass) - join her band, planning to get to San Diego with Mexico as their final escape destination. It is during the initial meeting with the band that Joe meets Sugar, the band’s beautiful vocalist, well played by Leandra Ellis-Gaston. Joe becomes infatuated with her, which makes for many comical moments as he moves in and out of his cover as Josephine to woo her. The troop arrives at the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego owned by Osgood Fielding III, an eccentric millionaire who is lonely and wants to be in a relationship. He is immediately smitten and falls in love with Daphne, who is a good head taller. This character is skillfully played by Edward Juvier who imbues Osgood with genuine emotions. In the meantime, Jerry begins to feel very comfortable as Daphne in his new role as a woman, making a very subtle political statement about gender preferences. Many comical and poignant moments with that relationship. Anyway, Daphne runs away with Osgood to Mexico where, having dinner in a cantina, he opens a small box containing an engagement ring. He proposes marriage and Daphne accepts. A very amusing scene when Jerry shows his pal Joe the engagement ring. His friend is shocked, reminding him that he is a man, but Jerry has already “come out” as a female and is happy with his decision. Joe puts on a dress for the last time and he and Sugar become an item with everything ending on a high note. (No pun intended.) In addition to the fabulous performances given by the leads, the energetic ensemble execute the production numbers with style, grace, and excellence. I should mention that the Act II chase scene is one of the most hilarious in recent memory.
It’s akin to a French farce with dozens of characters chasing each other in and out of slamming doors with lots of cross-dressing. With scintillating production numbers executed by a highly talented cast, the theatrical version of Some Like It Hot was deservedly voted Best Musical by the Drama Desk, The Drama League, and the Outer Critics Circle, as well as scoring four Tony awards for Best Choreography and Best Costumes and a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album.
Rounding out the company in alphabetical order: Ayla Allen, Ashley Marie Arnold, Kelly Berman, Ian Campayno, Darien Crago, Austin Dunn, Adena Ershow, Drew Franklin, Tim Fuchs, Rachael Britton Hart, Devin Holloway, Bryan Thomas Hunt, Emily Kelly, Brianna Kim, Stephen Michael Langton, Jay Owens, Ranease Ryann, Nissi Shalome, Michael Skrzek, and Tommy Sutter.
This is a pitch-perfect, non-stop, jet-propelled, exquisite production which will keep you cheering from the opening song belted out by Sweet Sue, to the 18 rousing musical numbers featuring the principal players along with the talented ensemble. The precision tap sequences, along with a modern spin on traditional jazz dance numbers, are enhanced by a colorful array of Gregg Barnes’ lavish costumes with the action performed on Scott Pask’s delicious candy-colored sets, and Natasha Katz’s kaleidoscope lighting design enhancing the onstage action. All the elements combine to produce one highly entertaining theatre experience.
This must-see production closes on August 17th so if you want to experience an extraordinary musical, filled with razzle dazzle, hurry and get your tickets while they last.
Hollywood Pantages Theatre
6233 Hollywood Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028
Book: Matthew López and Amber Ruffin
Direction & Choreography: Casey Nicholaw
Music by: Marc Shaiman
Lyrics by: Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman
Genre: Musical
Performance Schedule:
Tuesday–Thursday: 7:30pm
Friday:8:00pm
Saturday: 2:00pm & 8:00pm
Sunday: 1:00pm & 6:30pm
Closing: August 17, 2025
Tickets: $36-$1,305
Online: broadwayInHollywood.com or
Ticketmaster.com
In Person: Hollywood Pantages Box Office
(Visit website for hours)
All photos: Photo by Matthew Murphy
Shot1-Tarra Conner Jones (Sweet Sue) and the First National Touring Company of SOME LIKE IT HOT on stage at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre through August 17, 2025
Shot2-Tavis Kordell (Jerry) and Matt Loehr (Joe) sing, act, and tap under Casey Nicholaw’s direction and choreography in SOME LIKE IT HOT on stage at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre.
Shot3-Directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw, one of the 18 production numbers in SOME LIKE IT HOT on stage at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre through August 17, 2025.
Shot4-Matt Loehr (Joe/Josephine), Leandra Ellis-Gaston (Sugar), in the First National Touring Company of SOME LIKE IT HOT at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre through August 17, 2025.
Shot5-(Center:) Edward Juvier (Osgood) and Tavis Kordell (Jerry/Daphne) and company in Casey Nicholaw’s SOME LIKE IT HOT
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