Type – Musical Comedy
If you liked – Mrs Doubtfire, The Producers, 9 to 5 The Musical
Tootsie: A hilarious and heartfelt musical comedy that delivers big laughs while exploring ambition, identity, and the challenges women continue to face in the entertainment industry.
Going into Tootsie completely blind, the biggest surprise was just how funny it was. What initially appeared to be a silly comedy built around an increasingly absurd premise quickly revealed itself to be a sharp and surprisingly thoughtful musical packed with laugh-out-loud moments, memorable characters, and plenty of heart.
Presented by On Your Feet Australia at the Teatro Theatre in Leichhardt, Tootsie follows struggling Broadway actor Michael Dorsey. Talented but notoriously difficult to work with, Michael finds himself unable to land roles due to his stubbornness and reputation. In a desperate attempt to book a job, he disguises himself as a woman and auditions for a female role. Dorothy Michaels is born and quickly becomes the breakout star of the production.
As Dorothy’s popularity grows, so too does the complexity of Michael’s double life. When he falls for his leading lady Julie Nichols, the web of lies begins to unravel, ultimately forcing Michael to confront the impact his actions have had on those around him. Beneath the comedy lies a story about growth, accountability, and learning to see the world through someone else’s eyes.
While the musical is set in New York in 1982, many of its themes remain relevant today. The production highlights the challenges women face within the entertainment industry, particularly when balancing professional ambitions against maintaining personal boundaries in environments dominated by powerful men. These moments add depth to a show that could otherwise rely solely on its comedic premise.
Tootsie is impressively polished. Under the direction and choreography of Cameron Mitchell, the production strikes a strong balance between comedy and heart, maintaining a brisk pace while allowing its emotional moments room to breathe. Mitchell’s choreography is lively, clean and full of personality, perfectly matching the show’s playful energy and helping many of the show’s biggest comedic moments land.
Dan Potra‘s set design makes effective use of retro-style illuminated panels to create a stylised New York skyline that feels distinctly tied to the 1980s setting. While minimalist in approach, the design proves highly effective, allowing seamless transitions between scenes while maintaining momentum throughout. Peter Rubie‘s lighting complements the aesthetic beautifully, while Angela White‘s costumes bring colour, vibrancy and character to the production. Supported by strong sound design from Niamh Sinclair and a vibrant live orchestra under Musical Director Nichola Till, the production consistently feels larger than its intimate venue.
Andrew Bevis delivers an exceptional performance as Michael Dorsey and Dorothy Michaels. It is a role that requires an actor to balance multiple layers of performance, and Bevis navigates them effortlessly. He makes Michael frustrating, flawed and often unlikeable, while simultaneously creating a Dorothy that audiences cannot help but adore. The performance allows viewers to understand Michael’s shortcomings while still finding empathy for his journey. Better known to many as the co-artistic director of On Your Feet Australia, Tootsie provides Bevis with a welcome opportunity to step back into the spotlight and remind audiences of his considerable talent as a performer.
Elenoa Rokobaro is captivating as Julie Nichols, bringing warmth, vulnerability and an outstanding vocal performance to the role. Alana Tranter shines as Sandy Lester, extracting every ounce of comedy from the character while delivering some of the production’s biggest laughs. Tyran Stig is equally entertaining as Jeff Slater, proving a consistent audience favourite throughout the evening.
Lachlan O’Brien embraces the sleazy Ron Carlisle with excellent comedic timing, while Brendan Irving elevates Max Van Horn beyond what could easily have been a forgettable supporting role. Donna Lee also makes a strong impression as Rita Marshall, bringing authority and warmth to the production. The ensemble deserves recognition for maintaining the show’s energy from beginning to end and contributing significantly to its success.
Is Tootsie Worth Seeing in Sydney?
Tootsie is funny, charming and surprisingly thoughtful. It delivers strong performances, energetic choreography and plenty of laughs while exploring themes that remain relevant decades after the story’s setting. More importantly, it continues to showcase the valuable work being done by On Your Feet Australia and the Teatro Theatre in bringing quality musical theatre to Sydney’s Inner West. There is a genuine sense of passion behind these productions, and Tootsie is another example of what can be achieved when talented creatives are given the opportunity to bring ambitious works to life.
For theatre lovers, comedy fans and anyone looking for an entertaining night out, Tootsie is well worth seeing. If you’ve been waiting for one of the larger commercial producers to bring this musical to Australia, this production may be exactly the opportunity you’ve been looking for.
Tickets and Practical Info for Tootsie in Sydney 🎟️
Teatro Theatre, Italian Forum, Leichhardt
Season from 26th May 2026
Presented by On Your Feet Australia
Tickets: https://teatroitalianforum.com.au/date/tootsie/
CREATIVE TEAM
Director & Choreographer: Cameron Mitchell
Assistant Director & Choreographer: Lisa Callingham
Set Designer: Dan Potra
Lighting Designer: Peter Rubie
Costume Designer: Angela White
Sound Designer: Niamh Sinclair
Wig Designer: Helen Thatcher
Musical Arranger: Kevin Wang
Musical Director: Nichola Till
CAST
Andrew Bevis – Michael Dorsey / Dorothy Michaels
Elenoa Rokobaro – Julie Nichols
Alana Tranter – Sandy Lester
Donna Lee – Rita Marshall
Brendan Irving – Max Van Horn
Tyran Stig – Jeff Slater
Lachlan O’Brien – Ron Carlisle
Chris Huntly-Turner – Stan Fields
Lisa Callingham – Ensemble
Katie Green – Ensemble
Jessica Parris – Ensemble
Nicole Vella – Ensemble
Sam Austin – Ensemble
Julian Seguna – Ensemble
Jamie Reisin – Ensemble
Maximillian MacDonald – Ensemble
Arthur Lees – Swing
Paloma Renouf – Swing
