Tootsie the Musical first opened on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre on April 23, 2019 after a pre-Broadway tryout in Chicago. The musical is based on the 1982 film Tootsie starring Dustin Hoffman. Tootsie on Broadway is still currently running as of October 2023. The show has become a hit musical comedy, earning multiple Tony Award nominations and wins.
How Long is Tootsie the Musical?
The running time for Tootsie on Broadway is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes, including one 15 minute intermission. Most Broadway musicals tend to run between 2 and 3 hours long. Since Tootsie has a book by Robert Horn and score by David Yazbek, it has enough story and songs to sustain that length.
Here are the approximate run times for Tootsie on Broadway:
Act 1 | 1 hour 15 minutes |
Intermission | 15 minutes |
Act 2 | 1 hour |
Total Show | 2 hours 30 minutes |
The show does not have any particularly long scenes or musical numbers that tend to drag. The pacing feels appropriate for a classic comedy musical. Audiences have found the 2 and a half hour running time entertaining from start to finish.
What are the Showtimes for Tootsie on Broadway?
Tootsie on Broadway has standard evening showtimes Tuesday through Saturday at 8pm. There are also matinee performances on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 2pm, and Sundays at 3pm.
The full performance schedule for Tootsie is:
- Tuesday at 8pm
- Wednesday at 2pm and 8pm
- Thursday at 8pm
- Friday at 8pm
- Saturday at 2pm and 8pm
- Sunday at 3pm
There is no Monday evening performance. The theater is dark on Mondays. This is typical for most Broadway shows to give actors a rest and night off after weekend matinees.
On holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s, the performance schedule often varies with added or cancelled shows. It’s best to check the official Tootsie on Broadway website for the most up-to-date schedule if planning to attend on a major holiday.
How Long is the Tootsie Broadway Engagement?
When Tootsie first opened in Spring 2019, it was scheduled for a limited engagement run. However, the show proved to be so popular with audiences and critics that it became an open-ended, ongoing production.
As of October 2023, Tootsie on Broadway has been playing for over 4 years. There are still tickets available through early 2024 according to the show’s website. It’s likely the show will continue running as long as it keeps doing solid business.
Many hit musicals on Broadway can run for 5, 10 or even 20+ years. For example, mega-hits like The Phantom of the Opera and Chicago have been on Broadway for decades. While it’s too early to tell if Tootsie will have that kind of record-breaking longevity, its initial success indicates it could have a healthy Broadway run for years to come if audiences keep supporting it.
Who is Currently Starring in Tootsie on Broadway?
The current cast of Tootsie on Broadway features Tony Award nominee Rob McClure in the lead role of Michael Dorsey/Dorothy Michaels. McClure has been with the show since its world premiere in Chicago and continues to star in the musical comedy on Broadway.
Other principal cast members are:
- Lili Thomas as Julie Nichols
- Michael McGrath as Sandy Lester
- Mark McKinney as Ron Carlisle
- Leslie Donna Flesner as Rita Marshall
Understudies include Jared David Michael Grant, Benja Kay Thomas, Payton Reilly and more. The full cast has over 20 ensemble members playing various roles.
While lead Broadway actors typically sign one-year contracts, Rob McClure has remained with Tootsie for its entire Broadway run. Long-running shows often see principal cast members rotate as schedules change. But the success of McClure’s performance has kept him in the role for over 4 years.
Why is Tootsie Such a Hit on Broadway?
There are several factors that have contributed to Tootsie becoming a smash hit on Broadway:
- Popular movie adaptation – Having a built-in audience familiar with the story and characters from the 1982 Dustin Hoffman film.
- Talented creative team – Including Tony-winning director Scott Ellis and Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Robert Horn.
- Funny, heartwarming book – Horn’s adaptation mixes screwball comedy with poignant insight into gender roles and relationships.
- Catchy musical score – David Yazbek composed tuneful songs spanning musical theater, pop, and Latin styles.
- Perfect leading man – Robert McClure is brilliant in the role, believable as both Michael and Dorothy.
- Spectacular reviews – Critics praised the show across the board, helping drive strong word-of-mouth.
Tootsie has been praised for its deft balance of laugh-out-loud humor and intelligent themes. It respects the classic film while also updating the story for contemporary audiences. The first-rate execution makes it a musical comedy stand-out.
What Awards Did Tootsie on Broadway Win?
Tootsie received 11 Tony Award nominations and won 2 of those categories:
- Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Musical – Santino Fontana (original Dorothy)
- Best Book of a Musical – Robert Horn
It was also nominated for Best Musical, Best Original Score, Best Choreography, and several acting awards. While it didn’t take home the top prize of Best Musical, the multiple wins was still an impressive showing.
In addition, Tootsie won 3 Drama Desk Awards, 3 Outer Critics Circle Awards, and 3 Chita Rivera Awards for Dance and Choreography. The Broadway production was recognized across the board for acting, writing, music, dance, direction, and design.
What is the Creative Team for Tootsie on Broadway?
The accomplished creative team behind the Broadway production of Tootsie includes:
- Music & Lyrics – David Yazbek
- Book – Robert Horn
- Direction – Scott Ellis
- Choreography – Denis Jones
With Yazbek and Horn having won Tony Awards for their work, the show is in expert hands. Scott Ellis has directed numerous hit musicals and plays on Broadway over his long career. Choreographer Denis Jones captures the comedic energy of the show.
The creative team has worked together to seamlessly blend the beloved film source material with fresh musical theater innovation.
Conclusion
Tootsie continues delighting audiences at the Marquis Theatre over 4 years into its Broadway run. With robust ticket sales, an expanded production team, and new cast members joining the company, it does not show signs of closing anytime soon. The show’s hilarious comedy, timeless themes, and touching romance speak to all generations.
While the actors may change over time, Tootsie itself has proven to be a new American musical theater classic, worthy of joining the Broadway canon. Audiences keep returning to see this story of an actor posing as an actress and learning about himself in the process. It remains as relevant and side-splittingly funny now as it was in 1982. Tootsie on Broadway proves that some stories of personal growth and human connection never go out of style.