Some Like It Hot: Interviews with Tavis Kordell and Edward Juvier

by Cary Vaughn

Set in Chicago when Prohibition has everyone thirsty for a little excitement, Some Like it Hot tells the story of two musicians forced to flee the Windy City after witnessing a mob hit. With gangsters hot on their heels, they catch a cross-country train for the life-chasing, life-changing trip of a lifetime.

Winner of 4 Tony Awards (including Best Choreography and Best Costumes) and a Grammy Award™ for Best Musical Theatre Album, this dazzling stage musical will make its Memphis debut at the Orpheum Theatre April 8-13, 2025.

With its high-energy numbers, dazzling costumes, and heartwarming moments, the show introduces us to a cast of unforgettable characters such as Jerry/Daphne and Osgood. As the heart of the show’s romantic and comedic moments, their dynamic personalities capture the essence of both humor and heart. Jerry/Daphne (Tavis Kordell), a quick-witted and resourceful character, and Osgood (Edward Juvier), the charming and lovable millionaire, both share a captivating on-stage chemistry that has audiences laughing and swooning in equal measure.

Focus was fortunate to spend time with both actors to learn about their respective roles, a little about life growing up and on the road, and advice for aspiring performers. Tavis Kordell (Jerry/Daphne) is a Raeford, North Carolina native and proud graduate of UNC-Greensboro who is excited to be making their National Tour debut! Edward Juvier (Osgood) is a Boston Conservatory graduate who has been seen on Broadway in Les Misérables and tours of Les Misérables and The Phantom of the Opera, he has performed with many theaters around the country.

In this show, you are in role that J. Harrison Ghee originated on Broadway who also happens to be from the same area as you growing up.

Tavis: Yes, that is correct

Both being non-binary performers, how does it feel to follow in those footsteps, so to speak, with this role?

Tavis: To follow in those footsteps is everything. Not only are we both from Fayetteville, North Carolina, but also being non-binary performers, I look at J. as a pioneer for artists like me. So, to step into this role after J. Harrison Ghee was everything and more. I don’t feel like I have to necessarily fill those shoes but walk in my truth in order to tell my story as a non-binary performer and human.

Prior to our interview, I watched YouTube videos from your time on America’s Got Talent and was blown away. When did you discover your amazing voice?

Tavis: I grew up singing in the church. My mother was a choir director and my father was a pastor. When I sang, I started seeing this emotional response from people, and I was feeling something internally. I was, like, “Well, maybe I do have something that is special.”

What’s your range?

Tavis: It’s pretty high tenor, probably the mezzo-soprano range to be honest.

You mentioned your parents’ involvement in the church growing up. What was that like as a non-binary person? Were there any challenges that you faced?

Tavis: Absolutely. But not only from growing up in the church but growing up in the South, which is more traditional in its views. It came from a lot of denying who I was and just doing enough to get along. I lived a lot (for the lack of a better term) “in the closet.” I’d do enough to not be questioned, like with the mannerisms and my voice or things like that, just making sure that I am veiling who I truly am. But as I got older, I blossomed. I’ve learned to love myself, to walk in my truth, and that’s when I really began to truly light up as an individual.

Did you find that veiling who you were was just something you were supposed to do?

Tavis: Yes! These things weren’t talked about, you know? Things just were what they were. But when I took off that veil and began to walk in my truth, I saw myself for who I was, and my family, friends, and parents began to see me for who I was, too. And it was definitely scary at first because there were times where I thought I was gonna lose my family or friends, but by living my truth, I see who loves me as I am.

That’s fantastic. I love that. With this being your first national tour (and being fresh out of college), how did you find this gig?

Tavis: Well, I saw Some Like It Hot on a whim when it was on Broadway, and I was, like, “OK. I need to be in this!” When the national tour was announced I sent texts to my agent saying, “I need to be in the room, immediately!” So, my agent got me an appointment, and I went through the whole audition process. After auditions I ended up with the role of Jerry/Daphne.

Once you were onboard with the show, is there an experience or memory that stands out to you most?

Tavis: The bond that I created with a lot of the people in the cast. Leandra Ellis-Gaston, who plays Sugar, Tarra Jones, who plays Sweet Sue, and Matt Loehr, who plays Joe/Josephine helped me throughout. Matt is one of the best tap dancers. He helped me get a lot of the steps. Leandra and Tarra encouraged me or lifted me up when I was getting the best of myself during rehearsals. Because I would, I feel like I wouldn’t be getting the step right, or I was really hard on myself, but they were right there to let me know that it’s OK and that I’m going to learn a lot of things along the way. And I have. And I have a lot more to learn. But they were really grounding for me during the rehearsal process.

So what advice do you have for anyone interested in becoming involved in the arts?

Tavis: Remain persistent. Performing is one of those things where you’re gonna be told a lot of no’s and very few yes’s. But the yes’s will transform your journey. You have to stay strong and persistent because once you hear those no’s, you’re gonna want to quit, but I let people know that if your heart and spirit is calling for something, if you feel fulfilled and passionate about something, that is what you need to do. Trust the process. Trust a journey. But also, sharpen up your skills. You can’t trust the process if you aren’t working towards it. Like, you can’t expect to become a better singer if you’re not taking voice lessons or making choices to become a better singer. You have to put in the work in order to make these things come to pass. You know, about 90% of this show is tap. I did not know how to tap much before I got into this show, but I knew that it was something that I wanted. I took two semesters of tap in college, so I was able to get in some basic foundational tap, but I put in the work by watching TikTok tutorials, and then I was able to take some private tap lessons with people who I thought were amazing tap dancers, and because I wanted it bad and I put the work in I was able to learn it.

And final question before you get back to your day: with this being your first national tour, have you ever been to Memphis before?

Tavis: No, but I absolutely love everything about Memphis. I’m definitely gonna get some Memphis barbecue. I’ve been hearing about it because I’m from North Carolina, and everyone says that the North Carolina barbecue is the best.

Edward, what do you enjoy most about being Osgood during every show?

Edward: Honestly, it’s my favorite role that I have ever played. He’s just so full of joy, and I love the point of view that he brings. That’s what I love about my character, that he inspires people to be themselves genuinely.

I see Osgood as being vital to the story’s theme of acceptance and true love.

Edward: Absolutely. He has the financial freedom to allow himself to not have the same worries that everybody else had during the depression. But what I love about Osgood when compared to other billionaires is that he uses his financial freedom for the good of others.

How do you make sure the quirks of this character are more endearing and not over the top.

Edward: I think that what’s important about Osgood is that he’s just authentic. Yes, he’s eccentric, but he’s authentic within his eccentricity, so it comes across as natural and real, and that’s how I try to play it, sincere and as honest and true and genuine as possible.

What do you find most challenging about that though?

Edward: Well, the hardest part for me is trying to live up to everything I just talked about. I love Osgood so much. I look up to him in many ways. I try to be as genuine and honest, and it’s hard sometimes when we live in the world that we do.

I’m sure that before you even bring the role to life, you have to be in a certain frame of mind.

Edward: I do, yes. In the hour I have before going on, I put on sitcoms. Like, the old stuff. Golden Girls. Friends. I Love Lucy. Anything with a laugh track so that I can just put myself in that mode where I’m smiling and in a good mood

What are some things that you do to prepare vocally or physically before a show?

Edward: I have my physical and my vocal warm-ups I do while watching those sitcoms. Since I don’t go on until about an hour after the show starts, I also listen to the audience to kind of get a feel for how the crowd is treating my colleagues, which is always great by the way. I’m always so surprised at how well this show is being received, especially right now.

From the music I’ve heard, it sounds like a very energetic show that exudes positive energy. Is this what you believe people are being drawn to with this show?

Edward: Absolutely. And I love that the show surprises people, too. You know they think they’re getting a Guy & Dolls-type of musical – which it is – but then it takes this turn, and they are sort of caught off guard, but they can’t look away because they’re already invested in these characters.

There are those familiar with the movie, but the story for this show is just a little bit different, isn’t it?

Edward: Yeah, absolutely. And I love it. It’s not in-your-face. It just is what it is. There’s nothing nefarious and nothing beating you over the head with its message.

I know that chemistry is extraordinarily important not just in a love story but with a scene partner. What was it like building that chemistry with Tavis?

Edward: It wasn’t hard at all. I’ve known Tavis for a while. We did a production of In the Heights together in St. Louis. Tavis is just so spectacular in the show. I can’t wait for you to see them. Truly, a star-turn performance.

Do you have a favorite moment from the show?

Edward: Definitely. My scene with Tavis where I sing Fly, Marisopa, Fly. It’s probably my favorite scene that I’ve ever played. It’s a very tender moment. It’s also a moment that Osgood gets to drop some of those eccentricities and just be himself.

If you were to speak to someone who was interested in a career or getting involved in theatre, what would you tell them?

Edward: That there’s no right or wrong way to do any of this. I think that the most important thing to have is tenacity and to just stick with it. I think persistence is a key factor to success in this business. It’s very hard not to throw in the towel. There are years that are very dry, like the Covid years where I was, like, “Oh my God, will I ever do this again?” Also, it’s difficult because we’re expected to be passionate and to wear our feelings on our sleeves, but at the same point, let things like rejection or criticism roll off our backs and not let anything bother us and not take anything personal. Finding the balance between those two, I think, is key.

Were you ever forced to improvise a situation during a live performance? Any performance. Not just this show.

Edward: That’s what I love about theater. I was on stage in Los Angeles when there was an earthquake. That was insane. And of course, there are times when you’re in a scene with someone who forgets their line or missed an entrance. But part of what we do is rolling with the punches. It’s a life in the theater.

Having done multiple tours, what’s it like living on the road?

Edward: Because I’ve been doing this for a few years, I’m familiar with the towns that we’re going to. I’m very fortunate that this is my third time around the bend. I personally love the life on the road. It’s not for everyone in our business, but for me, I love it.  

Be sure to get your tickets to one of the show’s eight performances in Memphis, April 8-13, 2025 at the Orpheum Theatre.   

Photos by Matthew Murphy.