Musical Theatre Review: Some Like It Hot

“Some Like It Out” tap dances and kicks off in spectacular fashion at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre. The Golden Age of Hollywood brings the golden years of Pantages Theatre to breathtaking life like never before. “Some Like It Hot” is an unbeatable match to Pangages with the show’s time period setting in 1933 and the theater having opened in 1930. The unparalleled splendor could not be any more perfect.

Based on the 1959 movie of the same name starring Marilyn Monroe, the live musical adaptation updates scenarios and characterizations not only for the stage, but for modern audience tastes as well keeping topics relevant, powerful, yet still comical wrapped in vibrant choreography.

Sweet Sue (Tarra Conner Jones) decides she’s had enough of 1933 Chicago life as a singer dealing with cops during Prohibition. Going into business for herself traveling across America via train managing an all-female band. This set up becomes the ideal hiding spot for two male musicians, Joe (Matt Loehr) and Jerry (Tavis Kordell), on the run from gangster Spats (Devon Goffman) after reluctantly becoming witnesses to Spats’ murderess act.

All Joe and Jerry have to do is dress and pretend to be female musicians until the band’s final stop in San Diego where they’ll escape to Mexico. Besides trying not to get caught, only one other obstacle stands in their way in the beautifully irresistible form of lead singer Sugar (Leandra Ellis-Gaston). While Sugar’s sweet charm has caught the eyes of Joe, Jerry has unexpectedly caught the gaze of adorably wealthy San Diego hotel owner, Osgood (Edward Juvier). The delicate juggling act only gets more complicated with Spats in hot pursuit of his key murder witnesses.

“Some Like It Hot” is the big musical comedy that makes the Pantages Theatre shine even more. The matching aesthics in the architectural design is just the tip of the iceberg as the talented cast dance, dance, dance out to their heart’s content. A plethora of musical numbers takes the audience back to an era of swinging jazz, big band beats, and spirited life unable to be contained.

The dance chase sequences between doorways and byways become more and more elaborate. A big shout out and ode to that Golden Age of Hollywood musicals. As much beloved as the original movie is, the stage musical takes the male in female disguise concept to a whole new level.

If you’re aching for classical ballads and fast paced ensemble dance moves, “Some Like It Hot” has just the ticket for you. Joe and Jerry are the iconic dual not only for playing up laughs dressed as the opposite sex, but also providing approachable and accessible context of the troupe that appeases more to a contemporary audience.

The basic story beats are familiar with the production spinning a lot of originality in its characterizations to work the concept on stage able to stand on its own from its movie counterpart. Even if you’re not familiar with the movie, it is not essential viewing to enjoy the show. Musical numbers range from intimate to fantastical.

Principle characters are perfectly cast in their respective roles. Every actor knows their character inside and out. It does seem a bit jarring to have actors play characters that are musicians, but apparently pretend to play them on stage as the real instruments are played from the orchestra pit. In addition to the ensemble performing tap dancing numbers wearing dance shoes in sync with audio of tapping played.

With the exception of Joe and Jerry clearly wearing the fancy footwear. There was one other head scratcher where a newspaper headline read mobster boss seeking to find murder witnesses. Which then encourages our protagonist to precede with their scheme.

Nevertheless, hats off to “Some Like It Hot” playing at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre from July 29 to August 17, 2025. For more information and ticket sales, visit https://www.broadwayinhollywood.com/events/detail/some-like-it-hot

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