Jared Fournier
Okay. Let's get started. I'm Jared Fournier with Broadway Inbound, and we are delighted to have you join us for the fourth and final webinar of our Broadway Summer series. These sessions over the past few weeks have been incredible. We've been joined by panelists made up of Broadway stars, producers, directors, book writers, composers, everyone. The discussions have been fantastic. And today is going to be no different.
We're wrapping up this series with our fall preview. Now, not only is fall a beautiful time of year to visit New York City as the leaves turn color and the sweater weather arrives. It's also an incredible time to take in a Broadway show. So many new shows.
So myself and my friend and colleague Catherine Kim will be in the background today monitoring the Q&A. So if you do have a question for us or one of our guests, please feel free to type it in, and we'll answer as many questions as we can.
If you have questions after the session, you can reach anyone on our team at Info at broadwayinbound.com. And when we circulate the recordings of these webinars, we'll be sure you have all our contact info. We'd love to hear from you, and we'd love to work with you.
Broadway is back, and New York City is welcome and ready to have all your groups and travelers come visit us.
So though this is the final session of our summer series. There will be more webinars and events in the future. So keep an eye out. And with that, I'm going to go ahead and pass it over to our host for today and all of our summer series Chanel Cotton from Broadway Inbound. Hi, Chanel, take it away.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
Hey, Jared. Thanks so much. Hey, everyone. I'm Chanel from Broadway Inbound and, like Jared was saying, this is one of the most exciting times.
There's nothing like when new shows are coming to Broadway. And I mean - there's no tea, no shade, the faithful stallworts of Broadway - but there is nothing like when there is something new to get excited about. And let me tell you, I am very excited about these shows.
From Some Like It Hot, we have Natasha Yvette Williams, Marc Shaiman, and Neil Meron. How are you all doing?
All right, next up. We're gonna take it over to Some Like It Hot. Watch this clip.
Natasha Yvette Williams (Sweet Sue, Some Like it Hot)
Some like a cool pastoral scene with rolling hills and woods of green. It's heaven-sent to pitch a tent to bill and cool. Some like the warm Hawaiian clime where one can really take one's time and hit a sack in a grass shack just made for two. Some like it nippy on the ice ‘cause then the sheets are paradise. Keep rubbing hips until your lips stop turning blue. Some like it rough, some like it tame. Give me a moth who loves the flame. Some like it hot and hot is what I got for you.
Adrianna Hicks (Sugar, Some Like it Hot)
Now on a sultry summer day, some consummate with consomme. Yes, as a rule, it keeps things cool as mountain air. And though the postman might ring twice, some like the man who brings the ice.
He cometh with his block to stock my Fridgidaire. To warm the cockles of their heart, some like a fresh young apple tart. But in a storm just being warm will never do. But if you’ve yen for egg foo yung, mine’s guaranteed to burn your tongue. Some like it hot, and hot is what I got for you.
Christian Borle (Joe/Josephine, Some Like it Hot)
If everybody was the same, well life would be a bore.
- Harrison Ghee (Jerry/Daphne, Some Like it Hot)
If Manny goes with Sammy, hell, that's what he's yearning for.
Adrianna Hicks (Sugar, Some Like it Hot)
Let different rhythms move your seat, for I have often found.
Natasha Yvette Williams (Sweet Sue, Some Like it Hot)
We all dance to a different beat…
All
…and that’s what makes the world go round.
Kevin Del Aguila (Osgood, Some Like it Hot)
If you like your seafood salty, come and cast your line at me.
Christian Borle (Joe/Josephine, Some Like it Hot)
If not, just keep on diving for some new fish in the sea.
Natasha Yvette Williams (Sweet Sue, Some Like it Hot)
The world is a great big candy store. So let your tootsie roll.
Adrianna Hicks (Sugar, Some Like it Hot)
Come dance on through our swinging door and put some sugar in your bowl.
All
So, ladies, Hades is a spot to be like angels, sure or not. Some like it hot and hot is what I got for you. So call me savage, call me wild, but honey, please don't call me mild. Some like it hot and hot is what I got for you.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
What none of y'all knew because my camera was off is that I was over here bopping along, tapping my feet. And I would argue, it's not Some Like It Hot, everyone likes it hot. So thank you, Natasha, Marc, and Neil, for joining us today.
Natasha Yvette Williams (Sweet Sue, Some Like it Hot)
Thank you.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
Now this movie is from the 1950s. How do you bring the story to the present and make it relevant over 60 years later?
Neil Meron (Producer, Some Like it Hot)
Well, you know the movie at the time was considered ahead of its time, so there are themes in that movie that are even more current today. So I think we just took that and found a way to contemporize those themes even more, so audiences can relate.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
And you know, there are a lot of amazing movies and stories out there. But what is it about this one in particular that makes it perfect for the Broadway stage?
Marc Shaiman (Composer, Some Like it Hot)
Well, it's just so effin entertaining. And I think that comes across from that video, and the song, and the cast, and the singing, and the band. It really is a gold mine for just some great old-school entertaining Broadway musical that really lifts your spirits. Also, then as Neil said, the things that are about it and the fact that we have made the cast much more diverse.
There are so many issues that we deal with. It's a musical comedy, but we don't shy away from some of the things that wouldn't have come up in the original film that are certainly things that people are talking about now. So we're you're hoping to give the audience cake and eat it too.
Neil Meron (Producer, Some Like it Hot)
Sometimes you have to look back to go forward and I think that's what we've done.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
And so, Natasha, you are playing Sweet Sue. Yes. What is it been in your experience taking this classic character and making her your own?
Natasha Yvette Williams (Sweet Sue, Some Like it Hot)
Sweet Sue in the film was a smaller role, but diving into this music, this comedy, this story has been just a joy for me. The movie has sort of caught up with the times in terms of it being ahead of its time. We've certainly caught up now, and the themes and the humanness of all of the characters that are in this story can be relatable today. So for me, diving into it was just another opportunity to get in touch with all of those human needs that we all have, that we sometimes gloss over and don't think about. Whether it's a need to perform, or the need to love, the need to be protected, the need to escape. All of those things are in here, and I find that Sweet Sue has our hand on just about everybody in the show. So that is exciting to me. So there's been a great joy to try to bring her to life.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
And Marc, what was it like for you and Scott scoring this classic film for Broadway?
Marc Shaiman (Composer, Some Like it Hot)
Oh, we did it right here in this room. I'm sitting here. It was a pleasure. I mean, it's difficult in that, first of all, it's such an iconic movie with such iconic moments.
But even the underscore in the film inspired one or two grooves for songs, and there's just so much. It's a story about discovery. Every character discovers something else about themselves that they didn't realize, and Sweet Sue is the one who puts it all together. She puts together this band that now is not just - it's not that anything in the movie was frivolous - but now she's trying to put together a band of sort of the misfits, the women who couldn't get a gig in another band. And she puts them together, And then, of course, the lead characters all really find out things about themselves.
And enriches it so that we're not only able to deliver high-powered entertaining swing, but we really look deeper inside the characters, and it's been a thrill to figure out how to do that without upsetting the alpha card of keeping it a fun show. Did I answer the question at all?
Natasha Yvette Williams (Sweet Sue, Some Like it Hot)
You did.
Marc Shaiman (Composer, Some Like it Hot)
Anything about notes or chords or melodies. But you know, this is an era that Scott and I just love, the way that we love the 60s, and Hairspray was just a perfect fit for us. This also is a time that we just love. Fats Waller or Duke Ellington, or Cole Porter. The greats that were writing in this era. So it's been like just a big warm bath.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
That sounds appealing to me. I'm a girl who loves her bath time. So you sign me up.
But you know, who would you recommend this show is for, and what kind of feelings do you want them to leave with after seeing it? That's for everybody.
Neil Meron (Producer, Some Like it Hot)
Well, we hope everybody responds to it - of all ages - because I think everybody can find some joy in some aspect of the show, if not all the aspects of the show. The music really swings.
We do need a release from the current times we're in. We are not heavy on messages. Although if you want to find them, they're there, but it is pure entertainment.
Natasha Yvette Williams (Sweet Sue, Some Like it Hot)
This shows for everybody as well. Of course, the music is excellent. The acting is great. The jokes are great. It has something for everybody but it also… The audience… I think, great theater entertains, of course, we want to be entertained, but there's a form of enlightenment in this show that will sneak up on people that you won't necessarily get because you put that mirror up and you understand that there's a space for me. And some of the characters are trying to create that space. They're trying to be respected, or they - as Mark said - I'm putting this band together of misfits. Some of them just need the opportunity to be respected, a place to be, a place to belong. I think the audience will surprisingly come away with the feeling of, “Wow. I don't have to just exist. I can thrive, and in order to do that, I'm chasing this dream. I'm chasing this person. I'm chasing whatever I'm chasing”. But ultimately, I have to stop and look at who I am and recognize that I have a space to be the best possible me. And we give that to each of the characters, but also to the audience as they come in. So who doesn't want to feel good, feel great, feel happy, feel like someone understands me. And it's providing a space for me to be who I am.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
You know, it's so funny you say that because in the story you have these two characters who are running - and I'm just thinking, you can't run from yourself. Right. And they end up finding themselves along the way.
Natasha Yvette Williams (Sweet Sue, Some Like it Hot)
Yeah. And a lot of us out here in the world are running, so come in, come into the theater, see Some Like It Hot, and get to understand that it's better to just figure out what it is that you need and want and who you are so that you can be the best possible you and then the running can stop.
Neil Meron (Producer, Some Like it Hot)
Natasha, you are good. Nailed everything. Take it away, and then she can sing her ass off, so. Incredible. It's such an amazing journey to watch Natasha inhabit the role. Yeah, I mean, thank you. That's great.
Natasha Yvette Williams (Sweet Sue, Some Like it Hot)
I'm having a blast. It's so much fun.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
And the final question. Oh, sorry. No, good. I'll be quiet. No. I don't want you to be quiet. Final question for all of you. What is the number - I have my own opinions - but what is the number in the show that you think is going to blow audiences away?
That's the number they leave, and they won't be able to get it out of their heads. Go ahead, Marc.
Marc Shaiman (Composer, Some Like it Hot)
Well, I think, ther are a few numbers. It's what Natasha was saying - those moments where our characters just make discoveries about themselves and embrace those discoveries are where I think we lift off from the source material. I hope we will surprise and enrich the audience, and they'll go, “Oh, yeah. Oh, you know, I almost didn't expect that.” So I don't want to give things away. No spoilers. But that's for me.
Neil Meron (Producer, Some Like it Hot)
And for me, it's the way that Natasha begins to show because she sets the tone, and it's a great song that Marc and Scott wrote called “What are you thirsty for.” And it takes on several levels of meaning while being a fantastic opening number that just elevates everything and gets you on the ride.
Natasha Yvette Williams (Sweet Sue, Some Like it Hot)
For me, I love that too. “”What are you thirsty for?” But one of my favorite songs is actually Adriana's song where she has just - she's coming to a moment of realization. And what's the name of the song Martin - I can't think of it?
Neil Meron (Producer, Some Like it Hot)
Is it “Darker shade of blue”?
Natasha Yvette Williams (Sweet Sue, Some Like it Hot)
“Darker shade of blue” there? “Darker shade of blue” is for me because we are coming out of this isolation period, this dark period, and I think it is just pressing forward. The song just moves us from a space that might be dark to pressing forward, towards your goal. And for me, that song is one of the best songs that I think people will gravitate to, but there are so many.
Chanelle Cotton (Broadway Inbound)
A little something to be thirsty for. Yeah, so on that note, thank you.
Natasha Yvette Williams (Sweet Sue, Some Like it Hot)
That was great. That was great. Thank you.
Thank you so much, Natasha, Marc, and Neil, for joining us today, and I cannot wait to see Some Like It Hot open on Broadway. Okay, bye-bye. Thank you.
This video features Chanelle Cotton, Marketing Communications Manager from Broadway Inbound, speaking to the creative team behind Some Like it Hot, including actress Natasha Yvette Williams, composer Marc Shaiman, and producer Neil Meron. They discuss the origin story behind the show, what it's like to work on a musical, and what audiences can expect.
Some Like it Hot is a hilarious Broadway show about two musicians who witness a crime and have to go undercover as women to hide from the mob. The show is full of laugh-out-loud moments, great music, and stunning choreography. Broadway Inbound offers group tickets for this must-see show, making it easy and affordable to see with friends or family.