Thoroughly Modern Millie - Auditioning April 13-15

One of the shows that is auditioning in the next few weeks (April 13, 14, 15) is Thoroughly Modern Millie. Not only am I excited about the show which is fresh from a recent run on Broadway, but it also marks the debut of a new Ulster County theater group Golden Stone Productions. It will be Directed/Choreographed by Herman Sebek (Music Man/Oliver!) a favorite of mine to work with. Assistant Director/Choreographer will be Andrew Paluselli, another wonderful person to work with. I look forward to seeing the result of this collaboration.

The plot revolves around Millie Dillmount, who escapes to New York City from Salina, Kansas determined to marry her wealthy boss - whomever he may be. Shedding her country girl image for the modern look of a flapper, she takes a room at the Priscilla Hotel for Women and gets a job as a stenographer at the Sincere Trust Insurance Company. In short time, she finds herself involved with Jimmy Smith, an apparently ne'er-do-well paper clip salesman, Miss Dorothy Brown, a genteel aspiring actress who never seems to have spare change, Trevor Graydon, her no-nonsense boss, and Muzzy van Hossmere, a madcap Manhattan heiress with a zest for the high life.

The Production History
After thirty-two previews, the production, directed by Michael Mayer and choreographed by Rob Ashford, opened on April 18, 2002 at the Marquis Theatre, where it ran for 903 performances. The opening night cast included Sutton Foster, Marc Kudisch, Angela Christian, Gavin Creel, Harriet Harris, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Ken Leung, and Francis Jue.

In 2003, the original creative team reunited to stage the show in London's West End at the Shaftesbury Theatre. It began previews on October 11 and opened on October 21. Despite positive reviews and booking periods extended to January 2005, Thoroughly Modern Millie failed to catch the UK public's attention and closed prematurely on June 26, 2004.

A UK tour beginning in March 2005 fared much better and successfully toured many of the country's major theatres until November, when it closed as planned in Nottingham. (more)

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