The Quebec version of the musical will be released five months before its cinematic debut Tootsie has already been revealed I won't tell you A first excerpt was published on the platforms today.
It's “extremely rare” for the rights holders of an American musical to approve the recording – and then the release – of a song adapted in another language, said the director of the Quebec version of Tootsie, Alexis Pitkevicht, from the start.
“There were several versions of Tootsie internationally – particularly one in German that ran for three years – that did not have the privilege of recording a song. “It is a great pride to have the enthusiastic support of those who own the rights to the show,” he said when met at the recording studio in Montreal.
Alexis Pitkevicht, director of the Quebec version of Tootsie. Photo agency QMI, JOEL LEMAY
At his side, José Dufour, interpreter of the main character, is of the same opinion. At the time of his meeting with Le Journal, the actor and singer had just finished recording the piece, which was released today on online listening platforms.
“There’s something very exciting – very cool! – to think that I am the first to record this song in French. The show will end, but I'm not telling you that it will continue to exist on the platforms, people everywhere will continue to be able to discover it. It’s a huge privilege,” he admits.
Under the pen of Nicolas Engel – responsible for translating and adapting the show – “I Won't Let You Down” became “Je ne te dire pas”.
A highlight of the show
The choice of the title to be recorded was not random. Certainly the catchy melody did the trick, but I'm not telling you that it represents a defining moment of the show; In this issue, Michael Dorsey introduces himself for the first time under his new female identity, that of Dorothy Michaels.
In this scenic and musical adaptation of the classic film, an actor sees how his notoriously bad character prevents him from getting contracts. In desperation, he creates a female alter ego to finally get a role in a Broadway musical. But when this dual identity allows him to enjoy success and fame, it quickly becomes the source of many crazy misunderstandings.
“It’s a very important scene in the show; “This is the moment when the audience meets Dorothy Michaels, but also discovers another facet of José Dufour's talent,” says Alexis Pitkevicht.
- Musical comedy Tootsie will be performed at the St-Denis Theater in Montreal starting May 11th. It will also be installed in the Salle Albert-Rousseau in Quebec in 2025. The song I won't tell you is available on streaming platforms today.