Tootsie Arrives at the Kravis Center

February 7-12

By Scott Holland

Tootsie, the hilarious Tony Awardwinning musical, is coming to the Raymond F. Kravis Center for the Performing Arts for a limited one-week engagement from February 7 – 12.

Call it “musical comedy heaven” (Rolling Stone). Call it “the most uproarious new musical in years!” (The Hollywood Reporter). Call it Tootsie! This laugh-outloud love letter to the theater tells the story of Michael Dorsey, a talented but difficult actor who struggles to find work until one show-stopping act of desperation lands him the role of a lifetime. Featuring a hilarious Tony-winning book by Robert

Horn and an outrageously clever score by 2018 Tonywinner David Yazbek (The Band's Visit, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels), this New York Times Critic's Pick is “a joyful delight” (The Washington Post) that's “so packed with punchlines, it should be called a jokebox musical!” (Bloomberg). “In these turbulent times, when the world seems out of balance, we need a place to let the good times roll,” raves Rolling Stone. “Tootsie is it!”

“Tootsie” is based on the story by Don McGuire and Larry Gelbart and the Columbia Pictures Motion Picture produced by Punch Productions and starring Dustin Hoffman. This production of “Tootsie” was licensed by Music Theatre International. The National Tour of “Tootsie” is produced and managed by Troika Entertainment.

It was a pleasure to sit down with lead actor Drew Becker for this exclusive Hotspots interview:

At what age did you begin performing?

I did my first show and started taking classes when I was in 5th grade. What was your first paid gig? About 2 years after I graduated, I did the musical, “We Will Rock You” with Royal Caribbean on a cruise ship. When did you know performing would be your career?

I think my sophomore year of High School when I was doing a production of “Godspell” and that's when I started talking to my teacher and mentors about pursuing a career in performing and they convinced me I should and could.

Tootsie is such an iconic role, made famous by Academy Award winner Dustin Hoffman, is there extra pressure playing this role?

I didn't really feel pressure as when I was going through auditions and through rehearsals the creative team was so generous to us actors. They really allowed us to bring our own interpretations to these characters.

Other than this one, what has been your favorite role so far? The summer right before I started doing “Tootsie,” I did a production of “Matilda” where I got to play Miss Trunchbull. What's your fantasy role (a role you haven't played but want to)?

I would love to do a play next, but I am not the type of person that has dream roles. To be honest Tootsie wasn't a dream of mine, but it has become a dream. I usually see a company or director I want to work with and that's what I go after.

Is it hard being on the road all the time?

Honestly, I love it. I know a lot of people have a struggle with it, but I just love getting to explore different cities and taste the different foods and to get to see what the different audiences are. I really like the lifestyle of touring.

How well do you and your castmates get along?

We are literally like a little family. We love each other, but just like a real family does, we get in fights sometimes. Because this show is a comedy, we get to have a blast with each other every night. It's a fantastic group of people.

Describe yourself in 3 words?

Passionate, determined, and loving. What do you do for fun?

Most of the time when I am not doing the show I am just resting to do the next show. However, I am very passionate about fitness and going to the gym and staying healthy. I am also a big movie buff. I also love seeing interviews with actors that I look up to.

What should our readers expect from this touring company of “Tootsie”?

Our show is one that people don't seem to have a lot of expectations for, but in every single city when I go through the stage door, the audiences tell me it's one of the best shows they have seen. Also, people will laugh way more than they expect to. Your audience can show up and expect to have one of the most fun nights they have had at a theater.

For more information on Drew, you can follow him at: Instagram.com/drewbecker. For more information on the show, go to: Tootsiemusical.com. To purchase tickets to Tootsie at the Kravis Center, visit the Kravis Center Box Office or go online at kravis.org. To charge tickets, call the Kravis Center Box Office at (561) 832-7469 during regular box office hours Monday through Saturday from Noon to 5 pm.

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By Andreus Quinones

Dear Andreus,

I have a problem. The problem is that my boyfriend never lets me talk. Every time we are out, or among friends – he has to be the center of attention. Even if someone is talking to me or asks a question, he answers before I get the chance to say anything. I feel like he barely even listens to me when I am talking. It is affecting our relationship because everything feels so one-sided. Our communication sucks. What should I do?

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