On December 9, 2020, Seaview Productions announced that they were going to present a filmed concert/performance of the highly anticipated TikTok musical Ratatouille. The performance took place on January 1, 2021, possibly one of the best ways to start off the year. The money made selling tickets donated the money to The Actor’s Fund, an organization that supports all those involved in the production of plays and performances. 

The cast was packed with many well known and respected actors like Adam Lambert as Emile, Remy’s brother, André de Shields as the famously feared food critic, Anton Ego, along with many other notable actors and actresses. They all dressed up as their characters and truly gave their all to their performance. Despite not being able to actually perform on stage with one another, these actors certainly did not hesitate to devote themselves to these beloved characters and display them with integrity holding up to the original film. Everything was filmed by each performer at their homes, due to COVID restrictions. However, this did not stop Lucy Moss (the co-director of broadway musical Six), from putting on a high-level production. Ratatouille: The Musical was complete with Broadway dancers filming themselves doing various routines. The real magic occurred in the editing when all the clips of actors, dancers, singers, musicians, backgrounds, and propers were put together in one. There was a full soundtrack, all fully produced with an ensemble cast and orchestra, complete with twelve tracks. The musical itself was only about an hour with no included intermission.

One of the best casting decisions had to be Andrew Barth Feldman and the role of Alfredo Linguini, a troubled busboy who quickly works his way up in the culinary world with a little help from the kind-hearted rat, Remy (Tituss Burgess). Between Feldman’s mannerisms, facial expressions, costume (completed with both chef’s jacket and hat, of course), and delivery of dialogue, his performance was next to perfect. Not to mention his uncanny resemblance to the original cartoon character, Feldman was obviously the best choice for the role. 

Though the play was shorter than the movie itself, the plot did not feel to be too rushed or too dragged on. Most people know the general plot of Ratatouille, so it makes sense that there was not as much exposition. Many have already known these characters and the story, so only the best moments and most prominent plot lines were included. However, by using music and witty dialogue, the plot did not seem choppy, or as if anything was even cut at all.

However, it is still probably better to watch the movie before viewing the performance, because as a previous viewer of Ratatouille, I did not get lost in the plot, but those who have never witnessed the cinematic beauty, may not follow along as easily. Even Though the music itself would be enough to keep one hooked for the duration of the musical, having a general feel for what you are about to embark on is probably the best call. 

It is highly recommended that anyone who has not seen the musical, to go out and watch it. There will be no regrets regarding it in your future, trust me. Or at least humor yourself and watch the movie about a boy and the astonishing things he accomplishes by befriending an outcast rat, (not to mention it has won sixty-seven awards too). Hopefully, Ratatouille: The Musical sets the tone for 2021. Because if this year to come is half as amazing and joyful as that performance, then it’s going to be a pretty amazing year.