Analissa Nunez
Staff Writer
Something amazing is happening on TikTok right now. Over the course of several months, TikTok users have come together to create an online Broadway production of the 2007 film, “Ratatouille.” With only 60 seconds to capture a viewer’s attention, the results are something we’ve never seen before. With the pandemic ceasing all Broadway productions in March, composers, singers, actors, dancers, and set designers have come together on TikTok to write and compose original songs for “Ratatouille,” the musical.
The film centers on Remy, a rat that has dreams of becoming a great chef. After being separated from his family, he teams up with Alfredo Linguini, a new restaurant employee, to guide him on how to cook. What makes “Ratatouille” special to Generation Z? Perhaps it’s the nostalgia we get while watching the film — like Ego does when eating Remy’s dish — that transports us back to our childhoods. Or maybe it’s the fact that we all resonate with Remy, who feels like an imposter that can’t live up to their potential.
This isn’t the first time the film has had an impact on Generation Z. Some of the most memorable scenes have become memes, such as Remy about to throw up as he runs past a badly made soup, or making a parody cover of the iconic song, “Le Festin” to depict poor cooking attempts from users. Additionally, fans of the film have recreated the iconic dish itself because of people’s curiosity to see what it tastes like.
“In addition to the songwriters, people have made videos featuring scriptwriting, choreography numbers, costume designs, sample playbills, and set designs — to ensure the full Broadway production experience for all.”
Back in August, TikTok user @e_jaccs posted a video of a short jingle that dedicated their love of Remy from “Ratatouille.” Though the song is short, it’s extremely catchy through its bizarre lyrics: “Remy, the Ratatouille, the rat of all my dreams. I praise you, my Ratatouille. May the world remember your name.”
However, the trend didn’t become popular until October when TikTok user @danieljmertzlufft found the song and dueted the video, overlaying the original sound with additional voices to make it appear as if it were an original Broadway song.
@danieljmertzlufft Remy: The Musical OG Song @e_jaccs add. Vocals @cjaskier ##remy ##ratatouille ##musicaltheatre ##broadway ##singer ##musical ##disney ##fyp ##disneymusicals
♬ original sound – danieljmertzlufft
Moreover, it’s not just songs that have been contributing to the “Ratatouille” musical. In addition to the songwriters, people have made videos featuring scriptwriting, choreography numbers, costume designs, sample playbills, and set designs — ensuring the full Broadway production experience for all.
Some notable submissions you can find under the hashtag #ratatouille are songs or dances for all characters such as Colette, Gusteau, or Remy’s family. One song created for the musical is the “Ratatouille Tango,” created by users @blakeyrouse and @aaacacia_ that depicts the scene where Colette teaches Linguini how to cook in the kitchen.
@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!!
The video’s intense lyrics create a palpable connection between both of the characters as they move through the kitchen. For those interested in the rat’s side of the musical, user @fettuccinefettuqueen wrote the song “Good in the Garbage” to show the perspective of Remy’s dad, Django, as he tells him the importance of the garbage in his life.
Lastly, user @siswij has created the most crucial piece for any Broadway musical: the playbill. In the video, Remy is created by stacks of ratatouille on top of a fork to create an outline of himself with added steam for his hat. There are many more talented submissions for this musical and these are just a few examples of what hopes to come, should the musical be created.
“Ratatouille: The Musical has been noticed by multiple celebrities and even the man himself, Patton Oswalt, the voice of Remy in the film acknowledging the online musical by commenting on videos on the platform.”
Also, “Ratatouille” the musical has been noticed by multiple celebrities and even the man himself, Patton Oswalt, the voice of Remy in the film acknowledging the online musical by commenting on videos on the platform. Kevin Chamberlin, known for his role as Bertram in the Disney show “Jessie,” has also added his contribution to the show by creating the song “Anyone Can Cook” for the character Chef Gusteau. Donning a chef’s uniform, it’s safe to say that Chamberlin would be the perfect actor for the role of Gusteau. Perhaps the most important person to notice the musical is two-time Tony Award-Winner and Broadway Producer Ken Davenport who posted on the platform saying that he’d like to produce the musical.
It makes sense for this popular trend to be happening right now. Perhaps the reason for this unique trend is to bring comedic relief during the pandemic. But most likely, the birth of this musical is to show the brilliance of “Ratatouille” to the world. It’s unclear as to what the next steps in the production will be as Disney owns the rights to the film.
“Perhaps the most important person to notice the musical is two-time Tony Award winner and Broadway producer, Ken Davenport, posting on the platform saying that he’d like to produce the musical.”
For now, it’s a result of a group of people coming together to bring happiness during a pandemic. Whether you’re a theater nerd, singer, artist, or simply a lover of the film, anyone can hop on the “Ratatouille” trend. After all, isn’t Remy the rat of all our dreams?