Downtown Memphis was sizzling this April with electric energy radiating from the Orpheum Theatre Memphis, where the Broadway musical-comedy Some Like It Hot lit up the stage with its speakeasy swagger, toe-tapping jazz, and a message that resonated far beyond the footlights.
Based on the classic 1959 film, this reimagined musical brought a fresh, inclusive twist to the beloved story of two musicians on the run, disguising themselves as women to escape the mob. But this wasn’t just a nostalgic romp through Prohibition-era hijinks, it was a celebration of identity, resilience, and the power of performance to inspire.
A Star with a Mission
One of the show’s breakout stars, Adrianna Hicks, who plays Sugar Kane, shared a powerful message during her Memphis visit: “I hope little Black girls see me on that stage and know they can be anything,” she told WREG. Her words echoed through the Orpheum like a call to dream bigger, especially for young audiences who rarely see themselves reflected in Broadway’s brightest lights.
Hicks, a Broadway veteran known for her roles in Six and The Color Purple, brought warmth, wit, and powerhouse vocals to the role made famous by Marilyn Monroe. Only this Sugar Kane was no damsel in distress. She was bold, brilliant, and beautifully modern.
Speakeasy Swagger and Show-Stopping Style
The cast didn’t just perform, they transported Memphis audiences to a world of jazz clubs, flapper fashion, and fast-paced comedy. Action News 5 reported, the production was “a dazzling display of choreography, costume, and charisma” that had the Orpheum crowd roaring with laughter and leaping to their feet.
From the moment the curtain rose, the show pulsed with the rhythm of the Roaring Twenties. The live band swung hard, the dancers dazzled, and the chemistry between the leads was undeniable. What truly sets this production apart is its heart and its commitment to telling a story that, while set in the past, speaks directly to the present.
Memphis Magic Meets Broadway Brilliance
The Orpheum Theatre, a jewel of Memphis’ performing arts scene, proved once again why it’s a cornerstone of performing arts in the Mid-South. Hosting Some Like It Hot wasn’t just about bringing Broadway to Beale, it was about creating a space where stories of transformation, acceptance, and timeless joy can thrive.
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