By Debbie Ditton
Thoroughly Modern Millie, presented by Four Seasons Theatre Company in Cache Valley, is timelessly stylish on so many levels. The musical itself is both comedic and poignant. The story is full of characters who on the surface seem to be cliché, but because of the clever writing of Dick Scanlan and Richard Henry Morris, come to life in a way that helps the audience find pieces of themselves in their hopes and dreams. The music by Jeanine Tesori is memorable, and the recognizable themes from popular classical music, alluded to in the orchestration, greatly add to the delight of the production. Thoroughly Modern Millie, set in 1922, tells the tale of Millie Dillmount (Clarissa Boston), a country girl who goes to New York to follow her dream of becoming a “modern” by finding a rich boss and marrying him. She unwittingly ends up living at the Hotel Priscilla, whose proprietress, Mrs. Meers (Celeste Baillio), is kidnapping young ladies with no families and selling them into white slavery. Millie eventually finds a wealthy boss but ends up falling in love with a man that she literally runs into on the street, with less money than she has. Hilarity and mishap ensue. The show is filled with fancy flappers, dapper leading men, an overly-theatrical villainess, soaring vocals and high-spirited dancing. According to the Music Theatre International website, Millie “is a perfectly constructed evening of madcap merriment.”
Four Seasons’ production of this show is certainly perfectly constructed. The set, designed by Daniel Rash, crafted by his talented crew, and painted by Nathan Allen, is itself “thoroughly modern.” With turntables and an elevator that opens and closes with the push of a button, the scene changes are not only efficient, but also magical for the audience. Even with the large number of locations required by the script, the show runs smoothly under the direction of Stage Manager Jon Rash, Production Manager Holly Gunther and their team. The lighting design by Chase Cook effectively sets the mood, while the expert sound design by Justin Wellington ensures that Melissa Hamilton’s impeccable vocal direction is clearly heard by the audience. The costumes are pure eye candy. Kody Rash and his wife Kim Rash are expert designers, with an eye for color, texture, and elegance. They dress every cast member to the nines, regardless of their stage time. They also create costumes that enhance the clever and well-executed choreography of AnnAlyse Chidester and Katie Packard. Each number is choreographed to the talent of their wonderful ensemble and truly represents the style of the era. The nuances in the movement are impressively creative in differentiating between high society, stuffy office, and speak-easy dancing. The cast is having so much fun that it was hard for me to sit still in my seat. The slick choreography for “Speed Test” and “Forget About the Boy” made me want to grab my tap shoes and join them.
I have been attending Four Seasons Theatre productions since they formed their company in 2011 and this show really showcases Kody Rash’s directing talents. Under his direction, this cast turns caricatures into real people, while fulfilling the intent of the writers with integrity. When I asked him about his experience directing Millie, he told me that, “…putting this show together has been a delightful experience from day one of rehearsals. It’s a director’s dream to work with performers of this caliber and talent level, who are also incredibly good people.”
I agree one hundred percent with his assessment of the talent level of his performers. Boston is the perfect Millie. She can sing to the moon, dance like a pro, and her characterization is equal parts quirky, modern, and believable. I can’t think of one thing that wasn’t spot on. If she was the only exceptional talent, the show would still be amazing, but her supporting cast is filled with some of Cache Valley’s most skillful performers. Trevor Dean plays Jimmy Smith with a boyish charm that immediately endears him to the audience. His voice is well-polished, and he is a skilled dancer. The chemistry between husband and wife Cory Keate (Trevor Graydon) and Aubree Keate (Dorothy Brown) is electric. Cory’s singing voice and his sing-song speech is mesmerizing, and Aubree’s beauty, sweetness, and dance skills are captivating. Sometimes I lost her vocals when she was singing with another character, but that didn’t keep her from taking the stage every time she spoke. Baillio’s comic timing makes Mrs. Meers a favorite from the very first time we see her. Her physicality is infectious, and her vocals are perfectly suited to the role. Her side-kicks, Ching Ho (Daniel Francis) and Bun Foo (Dakota DeWaal) have surprisingly good Chinese accents and play off well with Baillio and each other. I wanted their physical comedy to be a bit more precise, but I was very impressed to see both Francis and DeWaal in numerous other scenes, playing totally different characters with ease. The tenants of the Hotel Priscilla are a feisty group of ladies whose voices and personalities blend beautifully. They are all great dancers, and each has a unique character that delightfully rounds out Millie’s gang. The ‘stenogs’ in the Sincere Trust Office, even without any speaking lines, create distinct characters, handily led by Miss Flannery (Amber Kacherian), whose beautiful elbows (a funny bit in the show) and big hair bring giggles and smiles at each appearance. The ensemble is to be commended for their clean harmonies and precise dancing. Finally, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the sophistication added to the show by Teresa Jones as Muzzy Van Hossmere. Her vocals are smooth, and I felt like I was in a swanky night club during her two numbers, “Only in New York” and “Long as I’m Here with You.”
Helps in Enhancing Libido Levels: Low libido is found in lean proteins, eggs, grains and vegetables. generic viagra cipla http://deeprootsmag.org/2015/03/21/soul-stirring-joy/ Flash video exploits can also cause web browsers to launch different windows which can be specifically targeted to a particular website. buy viagra pill This progression of disc desiccation, thinning, and osteoarthritis is called degenerative disc disease. try for source purchase cheap levitra Now…think about what your pants size is now…and what you weigh. http://deeprootsmag.org/2017/03/14/16832/ uk viagra online
Four Seasons Theatre is a family affair for the Rash brothers and I know that those who participate in their productions also feel like part of the family. This is a show that you can take your whole family to, and I hope the audience size will continue to increase, as I think this is their best show yet. They perform in the auditorium at Sky View High School in Smithfield, and although it is a drive if you live in the South end of the valley, it is well worth it. Their shows are priced for families, so grab yours and take them to Thoroughly Modern Millie. You don’t want to miss this one.
Four Seasons Theatre Company presents Thoroughly Modern Millie. New Lyrics by Dick Scanlan, New Music by Jeanine Tesori, Book by Richard Henry Morris and Dick Scanlan
Sky View High School Auditorium, 520 South 250 East, Smithfield, UT 84335
March 16-17, 19, 22-24, 26 7:30 PM, March 17, 24, 1:00 PM
Tickets: $12-14
Contact: 435-535-1432
Four Seasons Theatre Company Facebook Page
Thoroughly Modern Millie Facebook Event
0 Comments