Stratford High School Drama Society’s presentation of Thoroughly Modern Millie will be held in the school’s John F. Kennedy Memorial Auditorium Friday, March 27, at 7:30 p.m., and Saturday, March 28, at 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.
For tickets, at $10, call 203-380-6777, ext. 1234 or visit stratfordhigh.stratfordk12.org/
Winner of 6 TONY Awards including Best Musical, with music by Jeanine Tesori, lyrics by Dick Scanlan, and a book by Richard Morris and Scanlan, Thorough Modern Millie is a high-spirited musical romp that will have all of its audiences dancing the Charleston. Based on the 1967 Academy Award-winning film, the musical adaptation took Broadway by storm in 2002 and was the most awarded new show on Broadway. Thoroughly Modern Millie is considered a “contemporary classic musical” and relives the excitement of the Jazz Age in New York City. It’s a New York full of jazz and intrigue – a time when “moderns” were bobbing their hair, raising their hemlines, entering the workforce, and rewriting the rules of love.
Set in New York City in 1922, Thoroughly Modern Millie tells the story of a young girl from Kansas named Millie Dillmount who comes to New York in search of a new life for herself. Her grand plan is to find a job as a secretary for a wealthy man and then marry him. However, her plan goes completely awry. The owner of the dingy hotel where she stays kidnaps young girls to sell to the Far East; her wealthy boss is slow in proposing marriage; and the man she actually falls in love with doesn’t have a dime to his name – or so he tells her.
Filled with frisky flappers, dashing leading men and a dragon-lady of a villainess audiences will love to hate, Thoroughly Modern Millie is a perfectly constructed evening of madcap merriment! Don’t miss your chance to see this production presented by The Stratford High School Drama Society.
“Last year, Stratford High produced Shrek the Musical. That show catered to children and to those fans of the movie. When I chose Millie, I wanted a show that included a more traditional musical score and dances like those of the classic musicals of the past. Upon further inspection of musical score, it turned out that Jeanine Tesori composed music for both shows. Two totally different soundtracks, but each one, well-loved by audiences everywhere.”
The cast of Thoroughly Modern Millie includes Audrey Pancak (Millie Dillmount); Chris DeCrescenzo (Jimmy Smith); Emily Lopez (Ruth); Autumn Wright (Gloria); Briana Rotonto (Rita); Samantha Rivera (Alice); Paige Hoydick (Ethel Peas); Maggie Adams (Cora); Olivia Murray (Lucille); Julia Barksdale (Mrs. Meers); Kelsey Lepesko (Miss Dorothy Brown); Justin Gendron (Ching Ho); Chris Smith (Bun Foo); Maggie Walsh (Miss Flannery); Austin Bult (Mr. Trevor Graydon); Michael Holt (Officer); Chynna Sherrod (Muzzy Van Hossmere); Zach Kenney (George Gershwin); Dakota Benson (Dorothy Parker); Anthony Silva De Sousa (Rodney); Zach Kenney, Sam Noccioli, Anthony Silva De Sousa, and Dan Vilarinho (Muzzy’s Boys); Maia Dufane (Daphne); and Jason Peoples-Blackwell (Dexter).
The backstage crew includes Jenna Amoroso (wing manager); Zach Dillon (wing manager) Bree Bursey (stage manager). The production is produced and directed Jeff Leinen. Costuming is by Susan Barksdale and Nancy Zychek, props by Lisa Holt, and set design by Mike Rich.
Thoroughly Modern Millie leads Chris Decrescenzo (Jimmy Smith) and Audrey Pancak (Millie Dillmount) rehearse their lines.
Director Jeff Leinen blocks out one of the shows scenes with the cast.
Cast members of Thoroughly Modern Millie rehearse one of the show’s dance numbers.