Reviewed by Tony Annicone

North Shore Music Theatre’s fourth show of their 69th Season is “Tootsie,” a regional debut of this musical. “Tootsie”, the musical, is based on the 1982 comedy movie of the same name written by Larry Gelbart, Barry Levinson, Elaine May, and Murray Schisgal from the story by Gelbart and Don McGuire. The musical opened on Broadway on March 29, 2019. Like the film, the musical tells the story of Michael Dorsey, a talented but volatile actor whose reputation for being difficult forces him to adopt a new identity as a woman in order to obtain a job. The original movie revolved around a daytime soap opera, while this show involved a Broadway musical. The musical has music and lyrics by David Yazbek and a book by Robert Horn. Director Richard J. Hinds cast these roles splendidly and elicited strong performances. He also choreographs some phenomenal dance numbers to keep the audience enthralled all night long. His associate director and choreographer, Elyn Collier aids Richard in his task. Musical director Sam Groisser not only conducts a terrific ten-piece orchestra but plays lead keyboards. Sam taught the cast all the melodious songs with soaring harmonies and brought out the best in the cast and orchestra. Together Richard and Sam bring a new original musical to North Shore Music Theatre for audiences to enjoy and savor. The talented cast is rewarded with a thunderous standing ovation at the close of the show.