NEW YORK: The pandemic has shuttered concert halls around much of the globe, but that hasn’t stopped musical theatre aficionados from flexing their creative muscles – on TikTok, of course.
A crowdsourced musical based on the 2007 Disney-Pixar animated film “Ratatouille” is now set to hit the virtual stage, after thousands of TikTok creators posted original songs, dances, set designs, playbills and puppets on the content-sharing app.
It all started when New York teacher Emily Jacobsen posted an ode to Remy, the film’s protaganist who charts an unlikely course as a rat who becomes a chef.
The power of her viral kernel of an idea blossomed into an organically grown, full-fledged show: “Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical.”
Seaview, a Tony award-winning theatrical production company, is partnering with TikTok and TodayTix to stream the show online for three days starting January 1, with proceeds going towards the Actors Fund.
Viewers can purchase a ticket by contributing betwen $5 and $50.
“SOOOO wild!” tweeted Jacobsen. “We did it: A “Ratatousical” is coming on January 1st, 2021!”
It’s unclear who exactly who will be involved in the final piece, though artists with actual Broadway credits are said to be taking part.
Which songs will make the cut for the final show will also be a surprise, but the original “Ode to Remy” is sure to appear, with other options including “Tango for Colette and Linguini,” “Trash is our Treasure” and “Anyone Can Cook.”
“The love for the performing arts shines through in the Ratatouille-inspired TikToks from theater lovers around the world,” said head of the Actors Fund Joseph Benincasa in a statement.
He said the show “is sure to bring joy to arts lovers far and wide this holiday season, while at the same time will help raise much-needed funds for those in need in our entertainment and performing arts community.”