Based on the 1982 hit comedy film starring Dustin Hoffman and ranked as one of the best comedies of all time on the American Film Institute's list of "100 Years...100 Laughs", Tootsie is the New York Times Critic's Pick that has audiences rolling in the aisles in what was hailed as "Broadway's funniest new musical!” Michael Dorsey is a skilled actor with a talent for not keeping a job. Desperate and out of work, Michael makes a last-ditch effort to make his dreams come true...by disguising himself as actress Dorothy Michaels. In a meteoric rise to Broadway stardom, Dorothy soon has audiences falling at her feet while Michael (disguised as Dorothy) is falling for his co-star, Julie. It isn't long before Michael realizes that maintaining his greatest acting success will be much harder than he expected.
PLEASE NOTE:
Ages listed are character appearance and not your actual age.
strong comedic chops. A very strong high falsetto/mix or a high tenor belt. This role requires onstage intimacy/kiss
CHARACTER DESCRIPTION:
MICHAEL DORSEY is an actor’s actor. He is a focused perfectionist, outspoken, stubborn, abrasive and, at 40 – frustrated at where his career hasn’t taken him. He’s myopic regarding his work, non-committal and flirtatious to women and exasperating to all when it comes to something he wants. He is highly intelligent and desperate to do the one thing he loves more than life itself… act. When Michael realizes he can no longer book work after an audition goes poorly, he reinvents himself as actress Dorothy Michaels and wins the part. DOROTHY MICHAELS is strong-willed, understanding, humorous, playful and always speaks her mind. She can talk to people in a way Michael can’t. She’s slightly coy, slightly vein and completely lovable. She’s Michael's better half and, sometimes, his better whole.
JULIE NICHOLS
AGE TO PLAY:
25-35
VOCAL RANGE:
Mezzo with a strong mix/belt.
SPECIAL NOTE | SKILL:
This role requires onstage intimacy/kiss
CHARACTER DESCRIPTION:
An actor at a crossroads in her life. Focused, self-aware and self-assured. She has an organic beauty and heartfelt humour – which she uses to avoid what she’s feeling. She masks her pain and longs to connect. Kindhearted and modest, she gets the joke and is grateful for what she’s been given but is not ready to demand what will make her happy. She won’t give her heart easily, but when she does, it’s completely.
SANDY LESTER
AGE TO PLAY:
20-35
VOCAL RANGE:
Any voice part, mix or belt up to C5, highest note is E5.
SPECIAL NOTE | SKILL:
CHARACTER DESCRIPTION:
She’s neurotic, pessimistic, self-deprecating, childish and easily flummoxed. She is her own worst enemy – second-guesses her third guesses, can’t let anything go and created a yoga position called ‘The Downward Spiral.’ She thinks the world is out to get her wallow in self-pity. She makes her anxieties known incredibly loudly and wants to be happy. She’s got a big heart, which always gets broken.
JEFF SLATER
AGE TO PLAY:
30-45
VOCAL RANGE:
Baritone/bari-tenor with a little falsetto.
SPECIAL NOTE | SKILL:
CHARACTER DESCRIPTION:
A sardonic realist who lacks the ambition and drive to live up to his potential. The voice of reason that swirls just outside the eye of Michaels's chaos. Jeff sees the humour of situations and has no reluctance to point out people’s flaws – even his own. His self-awareness and observations make him Michael's sounding board, conscience, and best friend. A lethargic ball of moderate enthusiasm, Jeff has a motto: “Seize the day!” – He sees the day and then goes back to bed.
MAX VAN HORN
AGE TO PLAY:
20-30
VOCAL RANGE:
Baritone/baritenor, range from C3 to G4.
SPECIAL NOTE | SKILL:
This role requires onstage intimacy/kiss and may require some level of undress: removes shirt.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTION:
Self-obsessed, with a limited wit. A firm believer in his own hype, he’s a ‘personality’ who measures his appeal through artificial adulation… and can’t imagine anyone not being attracted to him. Welcoming any opportunity to take off his shirt, he thinks the world revolves around him. He never gets the joke and is sure he’s deeper than he is. Tangled earbuds are his Rubik’s Cube.
RON CARLISLE
AGE TO PLAY:
40-60
VOCAL RANGE:
Baritone, but material is in a comfortable mid-range for most voices.
SPECIAL NOTE | SKILL:
CHARACTER DESCRIPTION:
An incredibly successful director – ask him. He demands respect and is often disrespectful in return. His ‘creative well’ does not go that deep, but he knows what sells. He has little patience and even less vision. He loves an argument as long as he wins it and manages to work his accomplishments into EVERY conversation. He’s the first to tell you he’s damn good at humility.
RITA MARSHALL
AGE TO PLAY:
50-60
VOCAL RANGE:
Alto/ mezzo, but material is in a comfortable low range for most voices.
SPECIAL NOTE | SKILL:
CHARACTER DESCRIPTION:
Levelheaded, experienced and the voice of sanity and reason in a swirling pool of crazy. She is always a beat ahead of everyone and is very New York.
STAN FIELDS
AGE TO PLAY:
45-55
VOCAL RANGE:
This role does not sing
SPECIAL NOTE | SKILL:
CHARACTER DESCRIPTION:
Michael’s overworked agent. Always to the point, he plays the game but hates it. He knows how to talk around any subject. He’s put upon, exasperated and has been around the block… more than once. Perhaps it’s because he refuses to pay for parking.
COMPANY
AGE TO PLAY:
All Ages
VOCAL RANGE:
All
SPECIAL NOTE | SKILL:
Singers who move well.
CHARACTER DESCRIPTION:
We are looking for charismatic, unique performers with a great sense of humour.
