The (unofficial) Queen of Christmas, Mariah Carey, stopped by the opening night of Some Like It Hot to spice up the pre-show announcement.
Carey, who is a member of the producing team for the musical, sent bottles of champagne to the cast members, who were enjoying a celebratory opening toast when the new announcement was played, surprising both the company and the audience.
Carey's voice could be heard proclaiming, "Welcome to the Shubert Theatre. May I have your attention please. At this time, please take a moment to turn off your cell phones. And remember—the use of photographic equipment and recording devices is strictly prohibited. And now, Some Like It Hot."
In social media videos shared by company members, the cast can be seen expressing shock at the surprise announcement, with several dancers in the company feigning fainting spells before moving to their opening positions.
The production team has confirmed that the announcement will be used for the duration of the musical's tenure at the Shubert Theatre.
Some Like It Hot opened at Broadway's Sam S. Shubert Theatre December 11, after beginning performances November 1. Adapted from the 1959 film written and directed by Billy Wilder, the musical features a book by The Inheritance Tony winner Matthew López and Amber Ruffin and a score by Hairspray's Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, with the former providing music and both contributing lyrics. Tony winner Casey Nicholaw directs and choreographs.
Leading the cast are Christian Borle as Joe/Josephine, J. Harrison Ghee as Jerry/Daphne, Adrianna Hicks as Sugar, Kevin Del Aguila as Osgood, NaTasha Yvette Williams as Sweet Sue, Adam Heller as Mulligan, and Mark Lotito as Spats.
Inspired by the French film Fanfare of Love, Some Like It Hot follows two Prohibition-era jazz musicians in Chicago (played on screen by Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon), who witness a mob hit and go into hiding by disguising themselves as members of an all-female band. Through their escape plot, the two become enamored with the band's singer and ukulele player, Sugar, played on screen by Marilyn Monroe. The film was previously adapted for the stage as the 1972 musical Sugar, with a score by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill and a book by Peter Stone.
The Some Like It Hot ensemble includes Tia Altinay, TyNia René Brandon, DeMarius Copes, Casey Garvin, Devon Hadsell, Jenny Hill, K.J. Hippensteel, Abby Matsusaka, Jarvis B. Manning, Jr., Brian Martin, Amber Owens, Angie Schworer, Charles South, Brendon Stimson, Raena White, and Richard Riaz Yoder. Rounding out the company as swings are Ian Campayno, Ashley Elizabeth Hale, Kayla Pecchioni, and Julius Williams.
The production features additional material by Borle and Joe Farrell, music supervision by Mary-Mitchell Campbell, music direction by Darryl Archibald, scenic design by Scott Pask, costume design by Gregg Barnes, lighting design by Natasha Katz, sound design by Brian Ronan, hair design by Josh Marquette, and make-up design by Milagros Medina-Cerdeira. Orchestrations are by Charlie Rosen and Bryan Carter, with vocal arrangements by Shaiman, dance and incidental music arrangements by Glen Kelly, and music coordination by Kristy Norter. The production is cast by The Telsey Office's Bethany Knox, with Karen Moore serving as production stage manager. Juniper Street Productions is production manager, with 101 Productions, LTD. as general manager. Cheryl Thomas is the hair and skin consultant.
