It is 1922 and Kansas-born Millie Dillmount has arrived in the Big Apple where she plans to marry her boss, but instead falls for the fast-talking Jimmy Smith who doesn't have a dime, or does he? Meanwhile, the owner of the Hotel Priscilla, where Millie is a resident, is drugging young women and selling them to the Far East. What ensues is lots of slapstick comedy, a love triangle, and big ensemble tap numbers. Lyrics by Dick Scanlan, music by Jeanine Tesori and book by Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan.

In the opening of Santa Fe Christian School's Thoroughly Modern Millie, our leading lady is center stage of a New York City skyline. Madelina Pratt commands your attention with a gleam in her eye as she sings, “Not for the Life of Me.” Miss Pratt embodies a great chest voice. She also brings spunk and
a fun personality in her characterization of Millie; Pratt possesses great comedic timing and was mesmerizing to watch. There is onstage chemistry with Jimmy Smith (Garret Solberg). Mr. Solberg is natural in his acting and very humorous when telling Millie to go back to Kansas.

The demure and beautiful Miss Dorothy Brown is played by Sophia Anderson, who is just thrilled to be poor (“How the Other Half Lives”). Miss Anderson plays a refined Miss Dorothy with her curled blonde locks and pretty Soprano voice.

Ching Ho (Craig Buchanan) and Bun Foo (Blain Weeks) are great as Mrs. Meers' sidekicks, played by the talented and funny Madison Ferraro who delivered a solid “They Don't Know.” Mr. Trevor Graydon (Issac Randel) was enjoyable to watch as the wealthy bachelor that Millie plans to ensnare.
When Mr. Graydon falls for Miss Dorothy it becomes a hilarious display of affection in, “I'm Falling in Love with Someone.”

While the opening was eye candy for this performer with the sharp, staccato movement, so was the Speakeasy scene, “The Nutty Cracker Suite.” Amy Stine's choreography was crisp, clean movement true to the 1920's era. The ensemble was terrific in delivering vitality to Ms. Stine's creation and Lindsay Wickenhiser's (the Pearl Lady) technique shined in “The Nutty Cracker Suite.”

Savannah Reed-Plouffe played an elegant, mature, and sultry Muzzy van Hossmere. Her solo “Only in New York,” began with her in a single spotlight and she delivered a stunning performance, both vocally and theatrically. It was one of my favorite moments in this production.

Millie's friends; Ruth, Gloria, Rita, Alice, and Ethel Peas (Meredith Anne Olson, Faith Reynolds, Briana Askew, Brittany Mim, Tori Hemphill) performed very well together and added their own spark to many scenes.

Under the music direction of Rhonda Fleming, musical numbers such as the quartet, “I'm Falling in Love with Someone,” had great harmony. Although, I found the tempo of “What do I need with Love” on the slower side for my taste.

Alyse Stultz's costuming is perfection and pleasing to the eye showing hues of beige, tans, and off whites in the number “Thoroughly Modern Millie.”

Director Marie Wolfe should be proud of her cast and production team of “Millie.” The sets were simple, the costumes were marvelous, and the show's transitions were nearly flawless. Without a doubt, Santa Fe Christian's Thoroughly Modern Millie left an indelible impression.

Performed March 21 - 29, 2014

D. Jacqueline Young
National Youth Arts

~ Cast ~ 

 

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MILLIE DILLMOUNT: Madelina Pratt
JIMMY SMITH: Garrett Solberg
MISS DOROTHY BROWN: Sophia Anderson
MRS. MEERS: Madison Ferraro
MR. TREVOR GRAYDON: Isaac Randel
MUZZY VAN HOSSMERE: Savannah Reed-Plouffe
CHING HO: Craig Buchanan
BUN FOO: Blain Weeks
MISS FLANNERY: Molly Stead
RUTH: Meredith Anne Olson
GLORIA: Faith Reynolds
RITA: Brittany Min
ALICE: Brianna Askew
CORA/DAPHNE: Kelly Clanton
LUCILLE: Tori Hemphill
ETHEL PEAS: Jo De Graaf
POLICEMAN/DEXTER/IRA GERSHWIN: Isaac Trotta
The Pearl Lady: Lindsay Wickenhiser
The Letch: Nick Stelzner
GEORGE GERSHWIN: Matt Davis
DOROTHY PARKER: Rachel Davis
RODNEY: Justin Haug
MATHILDE: Mariah Feghali
NEW MODERN: Caroline Ster
Ensemble: & ( Office Worker), Y ( Featured Dancer), b ( Speed Tapper)
Bri Askew &
Sarah Bowser &
Craig Buchanan
Natalie Burke &
Jennifer Carter &Y(bAlt.)
Kelly Clanton &Y(bAlt.)
Matt Davis
Rachel Davis Y
McKenna DeBont Y
Amanda Dodson b
Grace Douglass &Y
Mariah Feghali Y
Jo De Graaf
Tabitha Hall b
Justin Haug Y b
Tori Hemphill &
Anne Mangan &
Brittany Min &
Brett Moseley
Meredith Anne Olson &Y
Ava Shoal Randel Yb
Savannah Reed-Plouffe
Faith Reynolds
Molly Stead
Caroline Ster &
Nick Stelzner Y
Kayla Stults Yb
Grace Trotta Yb
Rebecca Tschantz &Y
Blain Weeks
Lindsay Wickenhiser Yb
Dominique Winfield

Director: Marie Wolfe
Music Director: Rhonda Fleming
Choreographer: Amy Stine