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Gen Z is writing a Broadway musical on TikTok about a rat
Who is the rat of your dreams? For Gen Z TikTokers recently, it’s the Disney animated film Ratatouille star and Parisian chef Remy.
In August, creator Em Jaccs (@e_jaccs) uploaded her ode to the clever rodent in a TikTok, singing, “Remy, the Ratatouille, the rat of all my dreams…” A couple of months later, composer and arranger Daniel Mertzlufft (@danieljmertzlufft) took Em’s song, added some instrumentals, a few vocals, and a hefty sprinkle of magic to transform it into a grand ensemble number straight out of a Disney movie. Daniel’s composition garnered millions of views and soundtracked thousands of TikToks dedicated to Ratatouille, quickly becoming the title track of the movement.
@danieljmertzlufft Remy: The Musical OG Song @e_jaccs add. Vocals @cjaskier ##remy ##ratatouille ##musicaltheatre ##broadway ##singer ##musical ##disney ##fyp ##disneymusicals
♬ original sound - danieljmertzlufft
Ratatouille the Musical has ever since been recognized on the IG account of Disney on Broadway, several large theatre publications/magazines and Patton Oswalt, the voice of Remy himself.
What first started as a joke was taken up as a challenge by actors, make-up artists, backstage crew, dancers, singers, musicians, costume designers and graphic designers from all over, working in tandem to create the (arguably) best musical of 2020.
My...God...@BradBirdA113 have you SEEN this?!?!? https://t.co/Ts7MymEBLb
— Patton Oswalt (@pattonoswalt) November 15, 2020
Playbill
Every Broadway production has a Playbill, and Ratatouille the Musical is no exception. Artist Jess Siswick (@siswij) offered her imagined program, the cover art featuring a forkful of Ratatouille (the dish) in the shape of a rat. The *official* Playbill magazine has even recognized the musical, dedicating an article to present “The Official (Fake) Ratatouille Playbill.”
Image: Playbill
Songs & Choreography
Once “Ode to Remy” blew up on TikTok, Ratatouille the Musical became its own corner of TikTok, inducing dozens of singers and songwriters to contribute original musical numbers for creators to "submit submissions” to, as well as parodies and variations building upon them. The full list of songs is in the unofficial official Playbill, but here are some of the highlights!
Even though Remy is the star, we can’t forget about the characters who shape who he is. A personal favorite, @blakeyrouse wrote Tango for Colette and Linguini, for the characters that make up the central romance in the movie, singing Linguini’s part. Several creators—one being @aaacacia_—have duetted his TikTok as Colette, sporting the heavy French accent and the snappy, passionate attitude essential to the character.
@aaacacia_ ##duet with @blakeyrouse sorry for the lack of enthusiasm but i was trying to remember it ##WeWinTogether ##fyp ##ratatouillemusical ##musical ##singer ##fyp
♬ original sound - Yay Blake Rouse!!
Taking a look from the other side of Remy’s fine-dining life, @fettucinefettuqeen developed the song “Trash is Our Treasure” for Django, Remy’s dad.
@fettuccinefettuqueen My official entry to the ##ratatouille musical. (Idea credit: @danieljmertzlufft ) ##ratatouillemusical ##theatrekid ##foryou ##Animation ##austok ##FYP
♬ Trash is Our Treasure - Gabbi
With a wholesome and inspiring message, @rjthecomposer presents “Anyone Can Cook”
@rjthecomposer I worked way too hard on this ##ratatouille ##ratatouillethemusical ##musical
♬ Anyone Can Cook - RJ Christian
Choreographer @tristanmichaelmcintyre cooked up an awesome dance to go with the song, sparking a slew of dance submissions as well.
@tristanmichaelmcintyre cookin’ up some choreo for ##ratatouillemusical 👨🍳 @rawalton4 @ratatouillemusical ##foryoupage ##fyp
♬ original sound - danieljmertzlufft
Broadway actor and Jimmy Award winner, Andrew Barth Feldman, performed a song for the musical written by @fozzyforman108 as Linguini.
@fozzyforman108 @danieljmertzlufft @e_jaccs @ratatouillemusical My contribution to ##ratatouillemusical ft. Mister ##evanhansen ##musicals ##broadway ##dearevanhansen
♬ original sound - Nathan Fosbinder
Costume & Makeup
Ratatouille the Musical has given artists across all disciplines the opportunity to add their own special little something to the mix, from choreography to puppetry.
Creator @ardellyfoshelly drew up stunning yet costumes for rodent back-up dancers using lightweight tulle reminiscent of ballet skirts. Upon her video's blow-up, she shared her ideas for Remy, Colette, Linguine, and Anton Ego's costumes as well.
@ardellyfoshelly Why not? 🤷♀️ ##ratatouille ##ratatouillemusical ##costumedesign ##costumeillustration ##remytheratatouille ##linguine
♬ Ratatouille - Amsterdam Klezmer Band
Broadway puppet designer @brandon.hardy.art gives his insight for Ratatouille puppetry, duetting the musical numbers with his rat puppet costume as a demonstration.
@brandon.hardy.art YES I’ve got ideas for the Ratatouiile Musical! ##Ratatouille ##RatatouilleTheMusical ##RatatouilleMusical ##Puppetry ##FYP @ratatouillemusical
♬ original sound - danieljmertzlufft
Makeup artist @morgainemade offered herself up as tribute for the makeup department of the musical.
@morgainemade If the Ratatouille musical needs a makeup department... I'm here 👀 ##ratatouille ##ratatouillemusical ##ratatouillethemusical ##ratatousical ##remy
♬ original sound - danieljmertzlufft
Directing
“Even if you’re small, you can do big things,” says NYC director @brandon_powers, in his TikTok on his Ratatouille directorial approach, explaining the significance of scale. He walks us through his ideas for a blend of Art Nouveau and oversized objects for the set design, shadow puppetry for additional effects and ending the musical with the lingering smell of croissants.
@brandon_powers i ❤️ image research @ratatouillemusical ##ratatouillemusical ##ratatouillethemusical
♬ original sound - Brandon Powers
However, you don’t have to be a professional to have a great idea. Creator @jackattackcleary80 offers his vision for the discontented food critic, Anton Ego, detailing an explosive and emotional climax.
@jackattackcleary80 Also can I play Ego? ##ratatouille ##musicaltheatre ##theatrekid ##pixar ##disney ##ratatouillemusical ##fyp ##foryoupage ##movie ##theatre
♬ Bundle of Joy - Jartisto
What’s Next?
Whatever becomes of Ratatouille the Musical, it’s certain it’ll always be something to look back on with comfort and awe (like c’mon, an entire musical from scratch!). In these unprecedented times, our (arguably) favorite generation has concocted an unprecedented creation.
Just like in the original story of Ratatouille, the TikTok musical has taught us that not only anyone can cook, but *anyone* can create.
via GIPHY
p.s.
But, like, Disney Theatrical Productions, can we make this a real thing?
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