A SWEET "TOOTSIE" AWAITS YOU AT THE BUSHNELL FEBRUARY 21-26

In 1896 a chewy piece of chocolate candy, a Tootsie Roll, entered the confection market place. This iconic piece of oblong delight is more popular now than ever. The candy was named by an Austrian immigrant Leo Hirshfield, who owned a candy store in New York City, for his daughter Clara then five years old, Her nickname was “Tootsie.” In one day 64 million Tootsie Rolls are produced. During the Korean War, Tootsie Rolls were parachuted in to a Marine Division out of ammunition. They provided nourishment for the troops and, when warmed, were used to plug bullet holes to seal them when they refroze. In 2018 Tootsie took on a new distinction, as a musical based on the highly successful film of the same name. Now it will be at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts in Hartford from Tuesday, February 21 to Sunday, February 26 so prepare to laugh out loud. With a book by Robert Horn and a clever score by David Yazbek, “Tootsie” has been termed a “joyful delight” by the New York Times Critics. When a difficult actor whose talents are unquestioned can’t find work, he connives to secure a role of a lifetime. Complete with wig, make-up and body padding, Michael Dorsay disguises himself as a woman and sets out to get a starring role on “Julia’s Nurse.” Because of his volatile nature, it is only as a woman that he can hope to land a part, and, in doing so, gains a healthy respect for the female sex. It’s his 40th birthday and just the right time for a crisis or three. His new part in the show sets him on the right course to resolve his problems, even though it causes all his friends and colleagues a ton of angst...with music, dance and humor, For tickets ($35-135), call the Bushnell, 166 Capitol Avenue, Hartford at 860-987-5900 or online at bushnell.org. Performances are Tuesday to Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 p.m and 8 pm. and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Come meet Michael Dorsay at a crucial crossroads in his career and witness how cleverly he manipulates fate to achieve what he wants, even if he has to become a woman to make it happen.