![[CREDIT: PPAC] Leandra Ellis-Gaston as Sugar Kane and Matt Loehr as Joe in PPAC's 'Some Like it Hot,' playing through April 27,](https://e8dgfhu6pow.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Some-Like-It-Hot-.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
![[CREDIT: PPAC] Tavis Kordell as Jerry and Matt Loehr as Joe in PPAC's 'Some Like it Hot,' playing through April 27.](https://e8dgfhu6pow.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Some-Like-It-Hot-4.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
“Some Like It Hot” boasts a book by Matthew Lopez and Amber Ruffin and music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Scott Wittman and Shaiman.
Based on the classic 1959 motion picture, the story features two struggling tap dancers named Joe and Jerry, who flee 1930s Chicago mobsters after witnessing a murder. The big twist is the men resort to dressing up as women in order to perform in an all-woman travelling band. Will they be able to escape the clutches of the dastardly Spats Colombo (Devon Goffman)?
Comedy, Identity at Play in ‘Some Like It Hot’
The premise provides lots of opportunities for broad comedy and there is plenty of it here, along with the importance of embracing your own identity.
Tavis Kordell is absolutely mesmerizing as Jerry, who masquerades as Daphne. Kordell radiates charm, sensitivity, and passion as Daphne is romanced by the millionaire owner of a San Diego hotel, Osgood Fielding (played by a deliciously campy Edward Juvier).
Kordell brought the house down with the deeply touching ballad “You Coulda Knocked Me Over With a Feather.”
Michael Skrzek, filling in for Matt Loehr playing Joe on Tuesday, got a lot of laughs as Joe transforms into his alter ego, Josephine.
Skrzek and Kordell displayed terrific chemistry as these two close friends embark on their cross-country adventure.
Leandra Ellis-Gaston was a true powerhouse as Sugar Kane, the aspiring ingénue dreaming of her big break into motion pictures. Ellis-Gaston lit up the stage on her solo number, including “Ride Out the Storm” and “A Darker Shade of Blue.”
A subplot features Sugar falling in love with Joe, pretending to be a German screenwriter named Kip. Ellis-Gaston and Skrzek had fun carrying out this unlikely romance.
Tarra Conner Jones is wonderfully dynamic as the no-nonsense Sweet Sue, leader of the band. Jones’ excellent vocals were highlighted with the opening song, “What Are You Thirsty For” and Act One closer “Some Like It Hot.”
Gregg Barnes’ period costumes and Scott Pask’s gorgeous scenic design were first-rate, transporting the audience back to another time and place.
Director Casey Nicholaw’s choreography was impeccable and the scenes robustly staged. The climax features multiple characters entering and exiting through doors at a frenetic pace. It was an incredibly ingenious method of story-telling.
All of this is tremendous fun, and the ways Kordell, Skrzek, and Ellis-Gaston brought vulnerability and heart to their characters enrich “Some Like It Hot” and elevate it to a higher plane. In short, this is a superior entertainment.
Some Like It Hot runs through April 27. Providence Performing Arts Center. Running time is 2 hours, 35 minutes with intermission. Providence Performing Arts Center. 220 Weybosset St., Providence. For tickets, visit ppacri.org.
![[CREDIT: PPAC] Tarra Conner Jones and the ensemble cast of PPAC's 'Some Like it Hot,' playing through April 27.](https://e8dgfhu6pow.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Some-Like-It-Hot-1.jpg?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
Author: Joe Siegel
Joe Siegel is a regular contributing writer for WarwickPost.com. His reporting has appeared in The Sun Chronicle in Attleboro and EDGE.
This is a test
