‘Tootsie’ is a fun, funny perfect summertime enjoyment

Head to Matunuck to laugh your worries away at a performance of “Tootsie,” the hilarious musical comedy — based on the 1982 award-winning film 1982 film starring Dustin Hoffman — on stage through July 20, at Theatre By The Sea.

Based on a book by Robert Horn, with music and lyrics by David Yazbek and directed and choreographed by Richard J. Hinds, “Tootsie” is pure entertainment, everything one hopes for in a summertime musical. 

With a top-notch, 22-member ensemble, scenic design by Kyle Dixon; costumes by Dana Pinkston, lighting by Weston Wilkerson and hair/wigs by Rachel Padula-Shufelt, “Tootsie,” is just plain fun … and a great escape.

Packed with dazzling, high-energy dance numbers, stunning costumes, excellent performances and memorable musical numbers — under the direction of Tommy Iafrate (who also plays keyboard) — “Tootsie,” with it’s story line, wardrobe malfunctions, and near misses, will make you laugh out loud and  leave with a smile on your face.

The plot centers around a self-centered young man, Michael Dorsey (Kyle Nicholas Anderson) — a talented but difficult to work with actor — who struggles to find work. Until he becomes a woman that is — in the form of Dorothy Michaels wearing a wig, a bra and … was that a girdle I saw? — and lands the role of a lifetime … in an absurd-sounding musical sequel to “Romeo and Juliet,” called “Juliet’s Curse.”

Anderson, in his Matunuck debut, is terrific as both Michael and Dorothy — as is Joann Gilliam who plays Julie Nichols, Michael’s love interest, who is also making her debut at Theatre By The Sea. The two sure can sing! Just wait until you hear them sing, “Who Are You?”

Joining Anderson and and Gilliam, and also making their Matunuck debuts are Jeff Brooks as Ron Carlisle, the sleazy director; Dean Marino as Jeff Slater, Michael’s hilarious roommate (who is very good and very funny); Crystal Sha’nae as Rita Marshall, the producer of “Juliet’s Curse” and Jadon Webster who plays Max Van Horn, the talentless winner of a reality TV show who is cast as Romeo’s dumb blond brother, Craig and is very, funny … as is his tattoo!

But it might be Brooke Jacob who plays Sandy, Michael’s on again, off again extremely neurotic girlfriend who steals the show. When she sings a zippy, zippy “What’s Gonna Happen” she brings down the house.

Marino, listing Michael’s screw ups while singing “Jeff Sums It Up” is also a show stopper and crowd pleaser as is Sha’nae’s “I Like What She’s Doing Now.” 

Rounding out the cast are Connor Barton, Zoe Gillis, Bailey Reese Greemon, Marcus Henson, Chase McCall, Henry H. Miller, Zachary Nieman-Macak, Elle May Patterson, Erica Peréz-Gotay, John Reed, Mario Rizzi, Kimmy Sessions, Taryn Smithson, Emma Stricker, and — in his first appearance on the Theatre By The Sea stage 30 years, Fred Sullivan, Jr., as Michael’s agent, Stan Fields. Sullivan knows how to own a stage.

Performances are scheduled for Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m., Thursdays and Saturdays at 2 p.m. and Sundays at 5 p.m., with a special Wednesday matinee on July 17. The theater is located at 364 Cards Pond Road, Wakefield. Tickets are $68-$94 (plus fee). For more information, call 401-782-8587 or visit www.theatrebythesea.com.