Some Like It Hot Review Broadway Musical Sizzles with New POV
The new Broadway musical Some Like It Hot sizzles with energy and a fresh perspective on the classic film. The adaptation updates themes while keeping the comedy intact.
Based on the 1959 Marilyn Monroe movie the musical adds depth to characters who were sketches in the original. Gender identity themes resonate differently in 2022.
New York Times reviewed the show praising both the performances and the smart adaptation choices.
The music is by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman who know how to write Broadway bangers. The songs serve story rather than stopping it which isnt always true of jukebox-adjacent musicals.
Broadway adaptations of classic films have mixed records. This one seems to be working.
J. Harrison Ghee and Christian Borle lead the cast playing the musicians in drag escaping gangsters. Their chemistry carries the show through two and a half hours.
The production design evokes the era without being trapped by it. Modern stagecraft serves period material in ways the original film couldnt.
Whether it wins the Tony for Best Musical depends on competition but its clearly a contender. Critics and audiences both seem to be responding.
Review December 2022
