When the bright lights of Broadway closed in March, to help stem the spread of coronavirus in New York City, thousands of composers, singers, actors, musicians, dancers and stage designers were left without a job and without a way to express themselves.
Drama classes at schools across the country were also impacted, as students were forced to leave classrooms and stages.
Just before her classes started, Emily Jacobson, a 26-year-old teacher from New York, was creative and posted an original song inspired by the 2007 Disney movie “Ratatouille” on the social media app. TikTok.
“I write these little random songs for Disney characters … you know, just for fun,” said Jacobson.
The music went viral and reached millions of people around the world and created an online movement, bringing together theater professionals and TikTok users.
Through the social media app, “Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical” was born. The collaborators sent musical ideas for choreography, costumes and more for the totally socially distant musical.
The virtual production features 11 songs, 10 of which originated in TikTok – expanded and brought to life by an orchestra of 20 instruments. The production also called on some big names to star in the musical.
“Dear Evan Hansen” star Andrew Barth Feldman plays aspiring chef Alfredo Linguini. He joined Tony nominee Kevin Chamberlin three times, who plays Gusteau. Broadway veteran Titus Burgess stars as Remy, the talented cook who happens to be a rat. The online experience is a new venture for all three Broadway stars.
“It’s really fantastic, what it has become is a musical … It’s a real musical,” said Feldman.
The star-studded cast was brought together for a cause. Production ticket sales will benefit The Actor’s Fund – an organization that supports members of the entertainment community in need.
“The Actors Fund obviously acts as a safety net for people who work in the arts across the country and in need,” Broadway veteran Titus Burgess told national CBS This Morning correspondent Jericka Duncan.
Burgess stars as Remy – the talented cook who happens to be a mouse.
“To be completely honest with you, I’m not at TikTok, I don’t know anything about it. The pieces I was assigned to play were really great. … I was very proud to sing for them.”
Tony Award winner André De Shields was cast as food critic Anton Ego. He said that despite the pandemic, the production has a clear and light message.
“I hope people take away the ability to laugh in the face of adversity.”
“Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical” will be broadcast on January 1st. Production will be available for purchase and viewing on demand for 72 hours.