The Viral ‘Ratatouille’ TikTok Musical Is Getting a Broadway Concert
Anyone can cook. And make a musical. After going viral on TikTok during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the popular Ratatouille TikTok musical is getting an official one-night only production from the producers of Broadway’s Slave Play and the Jake Gyllenhaal/Tom Sturridge-led Sea Wall/A Life.
What is ‘Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical?’
For those who aren’t on TikTok, Disney/Pixar’s beloved 2007 film Ratatouille went viral earlier this year when TikTok users created a fictional Ratatouille musical. TikToker Emily Jacobsen first started the trend when she came up with the show’s titular song, with lyrics like “Remy, the ratatouille, the rat of all my dreams. We praise you, oh, ratatouille. May the world remember your name!” Of course, Remy is a rat. And ratatouille is a dish. So, Remy can’t be a ratatouille, but he can be a chef! And apparently, a Broadway star.
The fictional musical quickly grew in popularity on the app, prompting TikToker to make videos of their Ratatouille “auditions.” Fans created entire songs to contribute to the show, which included power ballads for Remy and even a Colette Tango for the movie’s leading lady.
The videos became a viral sensation (you can check out examples in this Twitter thread), and it even caught the attention of Broadway actors, producers, and Patton Oswalt himself, who voiced Remy in the Pixar film.
When Today Tix announced the upcoming concert, Oswalt freaked out.
“OH MY GOD IT’S HAPPENING,” he tweeted. “What an amazing way to start out 2021! And the proceeds benefit @TheActorsFund!!!! You gonna be there?!? I will! #ratatouillethemusical.”
‘Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical’ will be presented as a virtual concert
The show will not be an actual Broadway show when it debuts on Jan. 1, 2021. Broadway is still tragically closed until June. But the virtual concert will be a one-night only performance that will serve as a fundraiser for The Actors Fund.
The concert is being produced by Seaview productions, the production company behind the Tony-nominated Slave Play and 2019’s Sea Wall/A Life, starring Gyllenhaal and Sturridge. Casting for the show has not yet been announced, but Dear Evan Hansen‘s Andrew Barth Feldman is a fan favorite, as he took part in the TikTok fun and fans think he resembles the character Linguine.
Tickets for the concert are already on sale via Today Tix with prices ranging from $5 to $50. The show will air on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, at 7 p.m. EST, ensuring 2021 gets off to a musical start. The production will be available to stream for 72 hours after the performance.
According to Deadline, Seaview CEO Greg Nobile said in a statement that Ratatouille: The TikTok Musical is a fun way to keep creativity flowing during the current theater drought.
“Finding new outlets for creative collaboration has never been more imperative than it is right now,” he said. “We can’t wait to share what these remarkable creators have dreamt up which will now allow them to benefit other artists through the vital work of The Actors Fund.”
TikTok Senior Manager of Content Lizzy Hale said in a statement, “It has been magical to watch the TikTok community create and embrace the #RatatouilleMusical. From @e_jaccs’ original ode to Remy to @shoeboxmusicals’ set designs, seeing the endless creativity of the platform and the wider community rallying around it has inspired and driven a new forum for theater lovers to express themselves, participate, and enjoy the show. In a year where we saw Broadway close, the TikTok community brought musical fans together virtually with one of the most unique trends we have ever seen on platform.”
TikTok really got us through 2020, didn’t it?
