Cast talks on upcoming WYO Premiere of Tootsie

On Oct. 19, the WYO Theater will have their 2024 WYO Premiere with a production of Tootsie, based on the 1982 movie by the same name, starring Dustin Hoffman.  

The story follows Michael Dorsey, a talented actor with a reputation of being difficult, who runs into some trouble after taking on a female persona in an attempt to land a job.

Appearing on Sheridan Media’s Public Pulse, local actors JonHenry Justice, Brynn Bateman, Jacob Sullivan spoke on finding their parts within themselves. 

Justice plays Michael Dorsey and Dorothy Michaels. The character Dorsey has trouble getting work as he is difficult to work with. In desperation, he takes on the persona of Dorothy Michaels to land a part in a production. 

Justice explained that the lessons learned (both by Hoffman and himself) are the message; deconstructing the standards of beauty and sexism that are prevalent in the world today. 

J. Justice

Bateman plays Sandy Lester, Dorsey’s ex-girlfriend, friend, and also a struggling actor. Although on the surface the character may play for laughs, she may also be seen as a reflection of how Dorsey treated women before experiencing a little part of life as one.  

B. Bateman

Sullivan portrays the absent minded archetype male actor and daytime TV soap opera star John Van Horn, who sees himself as the hero. 

J. Sullivan 

Tootsie is a comedy full of laughs and live music that may also cause audience members to pause and reflect on how people treat each other and the bitter truth of stereotypes and sexism in the modern age. 

The Premiere evening will include hors d’oeuvres from the Sheridan High School Pro Start class along with specialty cocktails at the cash bar. Attendees are encouraged to arrive in costume in the theme of the show.

Tickets for the premiere cost $75, and are available by clicking here, by calling 307-672-9084 or at the box office at 42 N. Main St. 

Tickets are also available for encores set for Oct. 20 and 27, at 2 p.m. and Oct. 24-26 at 7 p.m. Tickets for the encores cost $29 for adults, $27 for seniors and $23 for students.

To hear the full interview of the cast of Tootsie, click here and find the Public Pulse line-up by scrolling to the middle of the page.