'Thoroughly Modern Millie' musical to open Thursday

Wednesday, August 8, 2012
Sharing a window seat, Millie (played by Meghan Armitage) and Muzzy the millionairess (Ashlee Vitz) snuggle up to Jimmy Smith (Dustin Bond) in a scene from the Putnam County Playhouse production of "Thoroughly Modern Millie." The musical opens its seven-show run Thursday night on the Hazel Day Longden Theatre stage. Subsequent 8 p.m. performances are set for Friday and Saturday as well as Aug. 15-18.

The Tony Award-winning musical "Thoroughly Modern Millie" will be presented by Putnam County Playhouse Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Aug. 9-11 and Aug. 15-18.

All performances will be staged at the Hazel Day Longden Theatre and will start at 8 p.m.

Tickets are $10 and can be reserved by calling the box office at 653-5880. Box office hours are 5-7 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

Corporate sponsor for the show is First National Bank.

Director Shelly McFadden is joined on the production side by choreographers Lita Sandy and Lori Briones, musical director Lori Miller and scenic designer Linda Gjesvold.

Based on the 1967 Julie Andrews film, "Thoroughly Modern Millie" has new music by Jeanine Tesori, new lyrics by Dick Scanlon and a book by Scanlon and Richard Morris.

Meghan Armitage leads the cast in the role of Millie Dillmount, a young girl who comes to New York City to find a job and husband, though not necessarily in that order.

She lands a job first -- at the Sincere Trust Co. run by Trevor Graydon (Kenneth Lee Buchanan) -- and immediately sets her eye on the boss, until she gets distracted by Jimmy Smith (Dustin Bond). Graydon himself is attracted to Millie's mysterious friend, Miss Dorothy (Mira Hoffman).

Add a crafty landlady (Katie Wallace) and her two minions (Cameron Callan and Alex Asbell), and Muzzy, a millionairess (Ashlee Vitz), and the complications, dances and songs are fast and furious.

Songs in the stage version include "Forget About the Boy," "Gimme Gimme," "Only In New York" and the title tune.

Appearing in supporting roles are Annie Weltz, Alix Green, Sarah Bond, Elise Merrill, Katie Hedge, Jalin Burnette, Sydney Cassida, Eleanor Howard, Miller and Briones.

Also in the cast are David Wells, Joe Lippard, Ric McFadden, Jack Randall Earles, Joe Fields and T.J. Tincher.

The orchestra, under the direction of pianist Marilyn Burdsall, includes Michael McClaine, drums and percussion; Drew Brattain, bass; and Marcia Boswell, flute/piccolo.

Costuming is by Diana VanMiddlesworth and Patricia Armitage. Jessica Masner is production stage manager, while Jim and Melissa Green run the sound and lights.

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