Devon Goffman brings a love for music and laughter to ‘Some Like it Hot”

You can credit Devon Goffman’s love of music — all music — for his success in musical theater.

Growing up in Buffalo, New York, his passion for musical theater was lit when he was cast in traditional high school productions like “Anything Goes” and “42nd Street.” His enthusiasm for the power of music was stoked playing in local bands, which helped when he turned professional.

Goffman’s been able to amalgamize his two loves as a touring actor for roles in shows like “Jersey Boys,” “Motown the Musical” and “On Your Feet: The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan.”

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“I ended up in a lot of shows where I was playing the guitar or upright bass,” he said. “So, ‘Jersey Boys’ and a lot of those shows made sense because I could actually play the music live. That’s where my career led me.”

Goffman’s latest role sees him putting down his guitar and showing some of his comedy licks, which are tuned just as finely as the E string on his guitar. The actor is portraying Spats Columbo in the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust’s PNC Broadway Series production of “Some Like it Hot.”

“To play Spats is a blast,” Goffman said. “He’s hilarious and I get to do some really funny stuff in the show.”

The musical is an adaptation of the movie starring Marilyn Monroe, Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon. It tells the story of Joe and Jerry, two musicians who witness a mob hit and are forced to go into hiding as members of an all-female band.

Goffman said the plot lends itself to comedy, a skill he developed through years of improvisational training.

“The execution and the way the writers have written this, it keeps the audience laughing,” he said. “There’s a lot of one-liners, a lot of chuckles, giggles and big laughs from the audience. That’s my favorite part of the show.”

As quick as he is to praise the writing, Goffman said the entirety of the show, and all those who help create the experience, deserve recognition for the ease in which a work set in 1933 feels authentic.

“The costumes are exquisite,” he notes. “Gregg Barnes won a Tony Award for the costumes. I have these gorgeous three-piece suits I wear. It makes the audience get lost in the era because there’s nothing off.”

He also called attention to the choreography and direction.

The proof of product, Goffman said, is seen each night, when sold-out crowds are on their feet at the conclusion of the show.

“We’ve had full houses for the last two months, which has been unbelievable,” he said.

The musical opened on Broadway in 2022, and had it not been for COVID, Goffman thinks it would have spent much more time on stage in New York City.

The Big Apple’s loss, though, is a win for the rest of the country which, Goffman said, is getting a “treat” by being able to see what would have been a “mega hit” on Broadway.

Goffman, who first thought he might play professional football or baseball before catching the theater bug, credits his grandfather with his own love for the lighter side of life.

“He was raised as an Orthodox Jew in New York City, and he rebelled a little,” Goffman said. “He wanted to have a little more fun. He was a funny guy. I remember his being hilarious. I lost him right about the time I entered the theater.”

The actor said that in addition to his familial connection, Judaism also taught him the resilience necessary to be successful in the arts, pointing out that his mother taught him to always be proud of his heritage and the importance of tikkun olam.

“Leave the world better than you came into it,” he said. “I was taught to give back to help people, to be someone that’s a good neighbor.”

The importance of family hasn’t been lost on Goffman, who has had the opportunity to work on several shows with his wife, a rarity in the business.

“We did ‘9 to 5,’ ‘Beautiful,’ and we did the national tour of ‘Jersey Boys’ together, which was awesome. I directed and she choreographed ‘Jersey Boys’ when we did it together at a regional theater right off the tour. We love working together.”

Sharing a career, he said, helps through the ups and downs, and the collaboration helps in both their professional and private lives.

Live theater, Goffman said, is an opportunity for people to put aside the weight of the world and the worries that go along with it.

“You can forget about whatever bills you have to pay and just sit and get lost in the music and the story. That’s why I fell in love with it,” he said.

“Some Like it Hot” runs at the Benedum Center April 15-20. For tickets visit trustarts.org. PJC

David Rullo can be reached at drullo@pittsburghjewishchronicle.org.