Tavis Kordell is discovering that all the world is a stage, and that Some Like It Hot while being on tour. Kordell plays the dual role of Jerry/Daphne in the musical based on the 1959 feature film of the same name, which was based on a 1935 French film titled Fanfare of Love.
The story begins with two jazz musicians finding work during the Prohibition era in Chicago. Brothers Joe and Jerry become bosom buddies while battling racism and other obstacles in drag. Their musical adventures lead them to find love and acceptance in a world set in its ways.
The show was originally planned to debut in Chicago but was forced to reschedule because of the pandemic, debuting in New York instead. Some Like It Hot received 13 Tony Award nominations and won four of them after premiering at the Shubert Theatre.
For the National Tour, Kordell steps into the high heels of J. Harrison Ghee, who was the first non-binary performer to take home of the trophy of Best Leading Actor in a Musical. Kordell is a native of North Carolina and uses he/they pronouns. Theater credits include The Color Purple, The Wild Party and Company.
Windy City Times caught up with the talented performer while out on the road.
Windy City Times: You are in Detroit at the moment on tour?
Tavis Kordell: Yes, we are in Detroit, Michigan at the Fisher Theatre. I love it here. Detroit has some good food! I have been eating my way around this city and it is amazing.
WCT: Well, get ready for Chicago cuisine because it has its own flavors. Have you been to the Windy City before?
TK: No, this will be my first time going to Chicago. I am excited!
WCT: Where are you from?
TK: I am from the Fayetteville metropolitan area of North Carolina known as Raeford. I am 22 years old and a recent graduate of the University of North Carolina Greensboro. Go class of 2024!
WCT: Congrats. How tall are you?
TK: I am 6’2”.
WCT: You look tall in your photos, so maybe higher in heels?
TK: Definitely!
WCT: Have you performed in drag in the past?
TK: No, I hadn’t. This is my first time doing anything like this.
WCT: Tell our readers what led you to the show Some Like It Hot.
TK: The musical is based on the 1950s Billy Wilder film. It’s about two brothers who witness a killing and go on the run while disguising themselves as women. They go on many journeys and have different experiences. They meet someone along the way named Sugar Kane, who was originated by Marilyn Monroe in the film. I don’t want to give too much away but a lot happens to them.
WCT: How did you hear about the show?
TK: I saw it on a whim in New York in June of last year. I was staying with a family friend for an audition, and she asked me if I wanted to see the show. I hadn’t heard of it before but decided to go. I saw it and fell in love with it. I had to do it.
J. Harrison Ghee, who played the same role that I do, is also from Fayetteville, North Carolina. I saw it as a sign and brushed off my tap shoes. I took some private acting, dancing and singing lessons and auditioned. Here I am as Jerry/Daphne today!
WCT: Seems like it was meant to be. The stage version is different than the movie though, isn’t it?
TK: Yes, there is more diversity in the story this time. Sweet Sue, Jerry/Daphne and Gertrude “Sugar Kane” Mudd are all played by African Americans, which is the biggest difference. It’s important because this show is rooted in jazz. We can’t talk about jazz without recognizing the contributions of African Americans. I am very glad that we were cast to show that fact.
WCT: Are there other LGBQT+ cast members mixed in as well?
TK: Yes, all throughout the cast.
WCT: The song “Let’s Be Bad” began similar to “Popular” in Wicked, then grew into a show stopper.
TK: I love that number and I feel it’s Daphne having a moment of discovery. We go through a whole sequence, and the audience is in for a treat.
WCT: Wasn’t the song originally from the television show Smash?
TK: Yes. Not only was it in Smash but the creative team Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman wrote it back then. They decided to put it in Some Like It Hot, so to work with them on the song was incredible.
WCT: I remember talking to Megan Hilty about them. Did you see Death Becomes Her yet?
TK: No. It started in Chicago but is about to start previews in New York.
WCT: Do you have a favorite musical of all time?
TK: To be quite honest, It’s Some Like It Hot. When I first saw the show, it had all the same elements that make it a Broadway classic. There are big dance numbers and incredible costumes, so it is truly one of my favorites.
I do like Memphis and The Wild Party by Andrew Lippa as well.
WCT: Talk about your experience on NBC’s America’s Got Talent season.
TK: The experience was absolutely phenomenal. It was very unexpected during that time in my life. I met the guys I performed with through mutual friends. We sang together and didn’t think anything of it. We posted a video of us singing and it went viral.
A producer from the show reached out to us and asked if we would like to be on the show. We thought it was a long shot, but went through the process before making it to the semifinals of that season. I still can’t process how quickly and fast that happened!
WCT: Was there a judge you particularly liked?
TK: I loved them all, but especially Simon Cowell and Heidi Klum.
WCT: Heidi is so gorgeous in person. “You Could’ve Knocked Me Over with a Feather” after listening to your cover of Adele’s “Easy on Me.” Do you realize how blessed you are to have this range?
TK: That is so sweet and to hear that makes me joyful. I believe that the gifts that I was given are to help other people.
WCT: How do you take care of your voice?
TK: There are a lot of things that I can’t eat before a show. I can’t eat anything too heavy or greasy. I don’t drink alcohol or do recreational activities like smoking.
I try to limit loud spaces because I will overspeak and shout, which is not good for my voice. I have to watch the times I eat. I can’t eat too late at night. I will have to eat either during the show or right after it. If I eat before a show I will get indigestion and that is hard on my voice.
Steaming works and if I don’t have a steamer with me then I will get a rag, go in a hot shower and hum. It opens up my nasal passages. I usually nebulize with mist for about 15 minutes and always warm up. I drink tea with ginger, honey and lemon.
I make sure I am on top of my health by taking vitamins and eating healthy. Everything is connected, so if your body is healthy then your voice follows that to perform well.
WCT: This discipline is important for others to read about because people tend to think it’s an easy task to walk up there and sing onstage. Has your family seen you perform in Some Like It Hot yet?
TK: They have not, but they will see it when we arrive in North Carolina.
WCT: That sounds like a special show for you.
TK: I love that the story of Some Like It Hot takes place on a tour and we are going on a tour as a cast. I can’t wait to hit some of the cities that are mentioned in the script!
WCT: Tell me Tavis, “What Are You Thirsty For” as far as future plans?
TK: I am focused on this tour until the next the next opportunity. It’s my first big job and I am fresh out of college.
WCT: Well, as the song in the show says, “Fly, Mariposa, Fly” and catch that prize!
Some Like It Hot heats up the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., from Oct. 22-Nov. 3. Find Hot tickets at broadwayinchicago.com.