_PNG.png)
The hugely anticipated Ratatouiscal, the crowd sourced, TikTok Musical premiered last night, Raising money for the Actors Fund! Starring Wayne Brady, Tituss Burgess, Kevin Chamberlain, Andre De Shields, Andrew Barth Feldman, Adam Lambert, Priscilla Lopez, Ashley Park, Owen Tabaka and Mary Testa. Along with an ensemble made up of Broadway's most talented singers, dancers and actors. This incredible cast created a Dish that took me right into Gusteau's restaurant, and shrunk me down to the size of the rat, It was just what i had ordered! C'est Fantastique.
The show, inspired by Pixar's 'Ratatouille', was Directed by Lucy Moss, Choreographed by Ellenore Scott and the Book was written by Michael Breslin and Patrick Foley. This team created a Spectacular dish, but the extra spices, were definitely the original TikTok Collaborators involved, which include: Emily Jacobsen, Daniel Mertzlufft, Gabbi Bolt, Kevin Chamberlin, RJ Christian, Nathan Fosbinder, Sophia James, Blake Rouse, Katie Johantgen and Alec Powell. Who all created some incredible and Catchy tunes, which brought the story of a small rat, to life on our screens.
Just before the show, I watched the Ratatouille the Musical Red Carpet on the Playbill youtube channel, Whilst having a flick through my digital playbill, which you can find at this link: https://www.playbill.com/ratatouillemusical.
The show began with some incredible set design by Christopher Routh (@shoeboxmusicals) shown in the picture below.
After the countdown finished, we were sent into an Incredible overture, performed by the All female, Broadway Sinfonietta, which brought me so much joy, as i felt like i was back at the theatre.. just from the comfort of my own bed!
Tituss Burgess opened the show, as Remy, who stayed energetic and hilarious narrating the whole show. I may have shed a tear or two during his ballad "Remember my Name". For those of you who haven't seen it, Tituss was perfect for this role, and played it with such energy and comedy! In my opinion, he certainly was THE Rat of all our dreams!
The opening number "Anyone Can Cook" performed and Originally written by Kevin Chamberlin really sets the scene, and introduces the characters. Kevin is amazing as Chef Gusteau and definitely deserves a Tony nomination for it.. Just saying...
Alongside Kevin's vocals was JJ Niemann and Joy Woods, performing the fabulous choreography. What an opener! Bon Appetit!
Wayne Brady as Django was another perfect casting job! His costume and makeup were spot on and his rendition of Gabbi Bolt's "Trash is our Treasure" was spectacular. Truly not to be missed. I Wish that 'Django' got more Stage/Screen time, because I would love to have seen more of Wayne's fantastic characterization!
We were then finally introduced to Andrew Barth Feldman as Linguini, who absolutely stole the show in my opinion. His character was so close to the original portrayal of Alfredo Linguini in the Pixar movie, however with an extra little Feldman spin on it. If there was ever perfect casting this is it. Feldman was given the chance to show off his oustanding vocal talent during his "Anyone can cook (reprise)" written by Nathan Fosbinder. Throughout the show, Andrew shows us the clumsy, but kind character of Linguini as he finds his way through the unusual circumstances of working with a rat!
Ashley Park, playing the fiery french chef 'Colette' was such a treat. Ashley's French accent was truly incredible and so convincing, not to mention her vocals. Ashley sang a passionate rendition of Blake Rouse's 'Kitchen Tango' Which was such an exciting number and one of my favourite songs in the show! It was so good seeing these amazing performers doing what they do best again!
The next thing that deserves a mention is Adam Lambert, playing Remy's Brother Emile. Not only was his costume fantastic, His vocals were outstanding too! He added some incredible new riffs to the song 'Rat's Way of Life' also written by Blake Rouse, whom I recently had the pleasure of speaking with! Adam was joined on-screen by the entire Broadway cast of SIX as his back-up Rat Queen Dancers! Who were all outstanding!
The sneaky chef Skinner was played by the incredible Mary Testa, who made me laugh every time she appeared on screen. Her rendition of "I knew I Smelled a Rat", written by Sophia James, was fabulous in every way. JJ Niemann and Joy Woods, smashing it again with their dancing. Meanwhile Mary belted out some incredible vocals, She knew she smelled a rat!
The one you've been waiting for.. Andre de Shields as Anton Ego. Amazing is an understatement for Andre's performance, He played the part so well, and brought his own spin to the character. Singing the song "Ratatouille" written by RJ Christian. I would write more about this Legendary performer, however, he has left me utterly speechless!
Along with "Ratatouille", Andre also sang "Ego's Flashback", written by Danny Berstein and Katie Johantgen! Which was partly a duet with his younger self, Outstandingly performed by the young talent, Owen Tabaka!
Now you may be thinking, What about Priscilla Lopez?
Priscilla Lopez played the Old Lady, Mabel, who owns the house that Remy and his family were living in at the beginning of the story! Personally Priscilla did not get enough screen time, however in the time she did get, she served sass, and comedy! With a little song she sang about killing the Rats!
This scene, and the rest of the whole performance, gives so much reason for me to give huge appreciation and praise to David Bengali Design for the Video Design and the editors that pulled it off! There are so many more people who made this show what it is, so please check out their names in the playbill I linked earlier.
Another thing I loved throughout the show was the references to other musicals! See if you can spot them all, as if you haven't seen it, Tickets are still available until January 4th 5pm EST (10pm GMT), and I Would totally recommend buying a ticket as they are super affordable and this musical is not to be missed!
However the biggest highlight of the show for me was the Curtain Call to the "Ratamix" Outstandingly Performed by Ensemble members: Nikisha Williams, Talia Suskauer, JJ Niemann, Raymond J. Lee, John-Michael Lyles and Cori Jaskier. This took us through sections of all of the songs, whilst the cast, and TikTok song writers appeared on screen together and took their bows! I just couldn't wipe the smile off of my face.
Thank you to everybody involved for such a good show, and thank you for reading this little review!
In the words of Andre De Shields "I didn't like this musical.. I loved it!"
Comments