Adapted from the 1982 hit film of the same name, the Tony Award-winning comedy musical has been a Broadway hit since it hit the Marquis Theater stage in 2019.

The musical tells the story of a talented, out-of-work actor who, in an act of desperation, dresses as a woman to land the starring role in a Broadway musical. 

The lead role of “Tootsie” is performed by actor Drew Becker, and his ingenue who plays opposite him in the musical-within-the-musical is performed by actress Ashley Alexandra. 

Alexandra shared her excitement for performing in the hit national touring production as the leading lady.

What is your background in theater?

Ashley: I grew up in New Jersey, and I worked with Paper Mill Playhouse as a kid doing their summer program, went on to college to do musical theater in school, and then left school and actually started working for a hospitality company for a number of years and just worked in hotels. Then I auditioned for a cruise ship on a whim and got that, and then sailed the world for a while, came back and then just started acting full time.

That’s amazing. What does it mean to you to now perform in a national Broadway tour production?

It’s been really cool. I’ve always wanted to do a national tour, so being able to do a first national tour and kind of like put my own self and ideas into the role has been really cool and a really special opportunity.

What kind of unique components have you brought to the role of Julie?

We were really lucky that the writer was with us while we were in rehearsals. So we were able to tweak the script a little bit and it’s been nice. I think this version of Julie is just a little bit more vocal in how she feels and stands up for herself a lot more, which I think is really beneficial to the overall script as a whole.

Can you describe the set and costumes?

It’s really cool because we kind of built this world where everything kind of moves with our ensemble… it’s is a manual set rather than automatic. So we kind of change through locations very seamlessly. Everything is built on these rotating wooden buildings that kind of bring the magic to everything.

And then the costumes are absolutely stunning. Most of them are the Broadway costumes, but mine were specifically made for me. They made them from scratch in New York, which was a really cool process to go into these costume buildings that have legends on the walls. They have like costumes that they’ve made for “A Chorus Line” and other famous musicals. And I’m just like standing in this shiny room with a giant mirror with pieces of a dress on, and they make it around me. So it was really cool.

What a dream come true. What challenges have you faced in this role?

I think it’s just the last scene of the show, I think for me is definitely the most challenging one. I won’t say what it is just because it’s the end of the show. But a lot of the communication isn’t necessarily done through dialogue.

So that was something that I had to really wrap my head around. Also I’m the straight one in a comedy, so everyone gets to be funny around me and I’m usually the one kind of trying to knock sense into people. So you always want to have fun and I am having fun, but I definitely have to keep a straight face a lot longer than everyone else around me. <laughs>

Is there a musical number that you enjoy performing the most?

In act two, we have this really fun jazzy funk number and the band gets a chance to just let loose a little bit and improv in certain sections of it. So that’s always my favorite one. We all kind of just get to do what we wanna do for a little bit and make some really great music. So that’s always a really good one.

Is there a Broadway production that is your ultimate dream to be a part of?

It’s actually really funny because Hadestown is touring here with us. Not with us, but also in LA this week. And I used to sell t-shirts for Hadestown years ago, right before the pandemic. And I remember watching it and being like, “Oh, I would love to play Perce someday.” So that’s definitely a far-off dream. I’m not exactly old enough to play that part yet, but definitely something to look forward to.

‘Tootsie’

When: MAY 31 to JUNE 12, 2022

Where: SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS, 600 Town Center Drive Costa Mesa, CA 92626

Performance Schedule: Tuesday – Friday at 7:30pm; Saturday at 2pm & 7:30pm; Sunday at 1pm & 6:30pm

Tickets: Individual tickets start at $28 Ticket prices subject to change without notice.

Online: www.SCFTA.Org

Phone: 1-714-556-2787

The post ‘Tootsie’ actress Ashley Alexandra is living the Broadway dream appeared first on Backstage Socal.

For over three decades, the “queen of one-liners” comedian Rita Rudner has charmed stages throughout the world, including holding the title of the longest-running, one-person comedy show in Las Vegas.

In addition, Rudner is a best-selling author, “I Still Have It…I Just Can’t Remember Where I Put It: Confessions of a Fiftysomething,” “Naked Beneath My Clothes,” as well as the novels “Tickled Pink,” and “Turning The Tables.”

The Laguna Beach resident divides her time in her second home in Las Vegas during her residency. She often performs her one-woman stand-up throughout Orange County, including making a stop at Segerstrom Center for the Arts on April 7.

At what moment did you realize you belong in comedy?

The first time somebody paid me money. Previously I’d been paid in food. Being on TV for the first time was very validating; my first TV appearance was on HBO, alongside Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, Andy Kaufman, Richard Belzer & Pat Benatar.

What advice would you give female comedians today?

Be yourself, tell the truth, and try to avoid performing in front of Will Smith.

What was a pivotal moment in your comedy career? How did that change you?

Deciding to leave Hollywood and move to Las Vegas. It allowed me to stop traveling and start a family, plus performing regularly in my own theater made me a better and wealthier comedian!

What’s next for Rita?

Next, I’m going to sleep. Oh, you mean professionally. My autobiography comes out in August. I’m performing in a funny play at the Laguna Playhouse next January.

Rita Rudner

Segerstrom Center for the Arts — Samueli Theater

600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, CA 92626

7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 7

Tickets: $59

(714) 556-2787

Online –SCFTA.org

The post Comedy icon Rita Rudner chats return to OC with stand-up show appeared first on Backstage Socal.

Here are 8 notable highlights of the evening:

1. In true SoCal style, the Oklahoma-bred Chenoweth drank from a large In-N-Out cup throughout the show, stating the fast food joint is a “must” when she is in town.
2. She shared in excitement that her former professor was in attendance, and is a current professor at Chapman University. At one point she asked, “Where are my Chapman students at?” which received cheers throughout the venue. In true mentor style, she gave advice, pointed out vocal ranges, and even pointed out mistakes on her part to the students throughout the performance.
3. Her guitarist Josh Bryant took center stage with her to perform the Eagles’ rock ballad “Desperado.” At the end of the song, she leaned over and planted a smooch on the 38-year-old, snickering and saying, “I didn’t tell you how well I knew him.”
4. Before she sang a beautiful rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” she dedicated it to her dear friend, OC arts philanthropist Julia Argyros, who was also in the audience. Then she thanked her for buying her lunch at The Capital Grille earlier that day.
5. She paid homage to Julie Andrews, Judy Garland, Betty Buckley, and several Broadway stars that have influenced her throughout her flourishing career.
6. She made it Christmas in October, singing “(Everybody’s Waitin’ For) The Man With The Bag/Jingle Bell Rock” from her new holiday album, Happiness is…Christmas! released on Oct. 22.
7. She shared her love for binge-watching crime documentaries, Bravo’s Real Housewives series, and the Britney Spears documentary throughout the Covid-19 pandemic. After she saw the Spears’ doc, she jokingly said she called Britney up to offer her some advice, before belting out her iconic Wicked tune “Popular,” with anecdotes for Britney in between.
8. Not a dry eye was left in the house when she concluded the concert with a breathtaking rendition of “Smile,” sung entirely without her microphone.

After the past year-and-a-half void of live concerts and performances, Chenoweth was a pro at carrying her audience from beginning to end with a lighthearted yet sentimental performance that allowed everyone to reflect on how much the arts are truly needed.

For more information on upcoming performances at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, visit scfta.org

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