THEATRE REVIEW: "Some Like it Hot" at the Sam S. Shubert Theatre (New York, NY)

      On January 8th, 2023, I saw the 3pm performance of the musical "Some Like it Hot" at the Sam S. Shubert Theatre in New York City.  "Some Like it Hot" features a book by Matthew López and Amber Ruffin, with music by Marc Shaiman.  The musical features lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman.  "Some Like it Hot" was directed and choreographed by Casey Nicholaw.  The production features scenic design by Scott Pask.  He also designed the scenery for "The Book of Mormon," "The Band's Visit," and "Finding Neverland," which I've also seen.  I was critical of the scenic design during the show.  But, looking back, it was actually kind of neat.  

     "Some Like it Hot" was supposed to have its World Premiere engagement in Chicago at the Cadillac Palace Theatre from March 2nd through April 4th, 2021, but the theatres were still unexpectedly shut down due to the pandemic by that time.  I am not sure if there was an out-of-town tryout in another city at a later date.  But the show began previews on November 1st, 2022, and officially opened on December 11th, 2022.  The review of the show I read wasn't negative or positive necessarily, but the audience at the performance I saw seemed to love the show.  There was enthusiastic applause and cheering after many of the musical numbers, as well as laughter during the funny parts.  Speaking of which, there was one line that made me laugh, but it seemed like I was the only one in the theatre who did.  Oh well.  

The marquee of the Shubert Theatre (I took this photo).

     On the afternoon that I saw "Some Like it Hot," the cast included NaTasha Yvette Williams (Sweet Sue), Christian Borle (Joe / Josephine), J. Harrison Ghee (Jerry / Daphne), Devon Hadsell (Nellie), Casey Garvin (Mack), Jarvis B. Manning Jr. (Sonny), Mark Lotito (Spats), Adam Heller (Mulligan), Charles South (Toothpick Charlie), Angie Schworer (Minnie), TyNia René Brandon (Dolores), Raena White (Ginger), Ashley Elizabeth Hale (Vivian), Adrianna Hicks (Sugar), K.J. Hippensteel (Bar Manager / Man with Suitcase), and Kevin Del Aguila (Osgood).  In 2016, I saw J. Harrison Ghee in the National Tour of "Kinky Boots" when he portrayed the role of Lola.  

     "Some Like it Hot" was the first show I've seen in quite awhile.  Well, it was awhile for me.  The last show I saw before this one was "The Play That Goes Wrong," which I saw in Chicago on April 2nd and 7th of 2022.  The last show I saw in New York was "Come From Away," which I saw on August 7th, 2019.  I almost saw the Broadway Production of Disney's "Aladdin" during the summer of 2022, but I chickened out because I was afraid to go to the city.  Plus I was afraid I wouldn't fit into the theatre seat.  At "Some Like it Hot," I fit into the seat just fine.  The only problem was my knees were jutting out into the row in front of me, so whenever the person in front of me leaned her head back, I had to move my right knee out of the way to avoid unnecessary physical contact, so to speak.   

     While I sort of wanted to leave during intermission, it was not because I disliked the show.  I thought the show was great.  The entire cast did a great job.  I only wanted to leave because I was sore from sitting for so long.  Luckilly, I stood and stretched during intermission, which enabled me to endure the second act of "Some Like it Hot."  So, I was enabling myself... Hahaha.  Anyway,  I also enjoyed a nice walk to and from the theatre and Grand Central Station.  I loved being in the city again, in a nervous sort of way.  Oh, and another part of the show that I enjoyed was the choreography... probably because of all the tap dancing.  I would see this show again.  Hopefully it will stay open long enough for me to do so.  

     One part of the musical I liked a lot was the references to the Hotel del Coronado in San Diego.  While part of the film version of "Some Like it Hot" was filmed at the "Hotel del Coronado," part of the musical actually took place there.  My family and I have stated at that hotel before.  When the holidays were approaching towards the end of the year 2000, an article came out about a "haunted hotel room" at the Hotel del Coronado.  So my dad booked the room for my sister and I while my mom and dad slept in the hotel room across the hall.  The ghost story involved someone named Kate Morgan.  Anyway,  when people would knock on our hotel room door, I would knock back from the inside of the hotel room.  Besides my antics, sometimes the lights would flicker.  So I enjoyed when the musical made mention of the hotel.