'Some Like It Hot,' making Wisconsin premiere at PAC, is 'funny and lovable and kind,' actor says
APPLETON — A heartfelt comedy, "Some Like It Hot" will make its Wisconsin debut at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center in Appleton on Tuesday, where it will run through March 16.
The musical premiered on Broadway in December 2022, and launched its North American Tour in September 2024. Based on the 1959 film starring Marilyn Monroe , "Some Like It Hot" tells a story of two jazz musicians in Prohibition-era Chicago who, after getting into trouble with the mob, find themselves on the run. Looking for a disguise, the men dress up as women and join a traveling all-girls band.
Devon Goffman , who plays mob boss Spats Colombo, said the musical "takes some liberties" from the movie, but builds upon the basic storyline and maintains some of the film's vintage nostalgia.
"It's an old school musical, so it feels like you're watching an old show, but at the same time, it has a very funny, fresh script," Goffman said.
Among multiple wins at the 2023 Tony Awards, "Some Like It Hot" took home best choreography and best costume design of a musical. Goffman said it's easy to see why; there are comedic chase scenes that are a bit "old-school Scooby Doo, Charlie Chaplin-ish" and tap dancing spectacles. The costumes transport audiences directly into the early-1930s world on stage, he said.
Audiences outside of New York City have only been able to see "Some Like It Hot" for about six months. Goffman, who is from Buffalo, New York, but whose wife has family in Wisconsin — who plan to come to the show in Appleton — said it's been "amazing" to bring the musical across the country.
"Right now, the world is a funny place, and comedy is really necessary to get through the ups and downs of everybody's day-to-day life," he said. "We've gotten rave reviews, and the audience stands on their feet — they love it every night."
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"Some Like It Hot" is more than just funny, though, Goffman said. The story is one of acceptance and friends who become family, he said.
"What we're doing on stage is very funny and lovable and kind. And I think that you'll leave the theater feeling those three things," Goffman said. "I do really love telling people to come see the show, because I think it does give everybody a boost of what's good about the world."
Tickets for "Some Like It Hot" can be purchased online through Ticketmaster , or by phone at 800-982-2787, or through the PAC ticket office in-person or by phone at 920-730-3760. The PAC ticket office is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday.
Contact Kelli Arseneau at 920-213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com . Follow her on X, formerly Twitter, at @ArseneauKelli .
This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: 'Some Like It Hot' musical to make Wisconsin debut in Appleton
