It’s almost impossible to sit still and not tap your feet during any musical theater number set in the 1920s. Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr. is a slapstick, high-spirited, musical comedy that will have audiences leaving the theater dancing the Charleston.
It’s almost impossible to sit still and not tap your feet during any musical theater number set in the 1920s. Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr. is a slapstick, high-spirited, musical comedy that will have audiences leaving the theater dancing the Charleston. The Aloha Performing Arts Company’s Aloha Teen Theatre production opens tonight at the Aloha Theatre in Kainaliu, and runs through June 21.
With music by Jeanine Tesori, and lyrics by Dick Scanlan, the musical is based on the 1967 film of the same name. Thoroughly Modern Millie premiered on Broadway at the Marquis Theatre in 2002. The original Broadway production won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr. tells the story of a young woman, Millie Dillmount (Riley Newton), who comes to New York City from Kansas to find a new life for herself — a thoroughly modern goal in 1922, when women just earned the right to vote and began entering the workforce. Determined to marry for money, and not for love, Millie finds herself in a barrage of funny, and sometimes poignant situations.
The play is directed by 18-year-old Mia Kriebl-Bruno, which is a directorial debut for the seasoned actress.
“Directing is so different from being the one on stage,” said Kriebl-Bruno. “When you’re directing, you have to be focused on everybody — not just yourself. It’s a lot of work, but it’s been very rewarding so far. My favorite part is seeing how the ideas in my head go to being portrayed on stage. It’s kind of surreal to imagine a scene one night, and the next night it’s happening right in front of me.”
After arriving in New York, Millie becomes intrigued with the jazzy flappers, and the modern lifestyle, where the rules of social behavior were beginning to change dramatically. Adversities arise when she checks into a hotel owned by the mysterious Mrs. Meers (Sarah Rouse), who also happens to be the leader of a white slavery ring in China.
“It’s a serious topic, but the way it’s presented is very fast-paced and fun. The choreography and music just really brings it all together,” said Kriebl-Bruno.
Riley Newton, who plays Millie, is a regular in many of the junior plays at Aloha Theatre.
“This is the first, more mature, role that I’ve played,” said Newton. “Millie is older than what I usually play. Sometimes it’s more challenging because her voice is different from my usual acting voice. I’m trying to change it up and make it unique.”
In her search for a husband, Millie ends up falling for leading man, Jimmy Smith (Simon Ellis).
“The show is a lot of fun,” said Ellis. “Everyone involved has stepped up and realized that although this is a junior production, we don’t need to treat it as such. We’ve come at it with an adult approach, and tried to make it the best show that we can.”
With recognizable numbers like “Forget About the Boy,” fans of the Roaring Twenties can’t go wrong with this Broadway musical. Filled with fun flappers, handsome leading men, and a dragon-lady villainess, Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr. offers a unique evening of family entertainment. The score is upbeat and fun, the characters are cheeky, and the tap dancing is always a favorite.
One of the tap dancers, Kat Sullivan, plays office manager, Miss Flannery. “At first, Miss Flannery seems kind of uptight and mean,” said Sullivan. “She tries hard to keep the office orderly, but can also let loose and have some fun. The tap pieces are great, and our choreographer, Juanita Finkenberg, does a really good job.”
Other cast members include Malia Moore, Kristen White, Olivia Loney, Oliver Kriebl-Bruno, Rebecca Gent, Alicia Hicks, Ariana Kanehiro, Riley Walters, Maddy Bram, Deja Logan, Vincent Hicks, Christian McNeill, Christian Voorhis, Manu Levine, Erin Durkin, Kate Carpenter, Camille Kahele-Cariaga, Ashari Jones, Bukhari Jones, Gavin Logan and Alessa Stephens.
Other crew members are Melissa Geiger, assistant director; Salena Kahele, assistant director junior; Arlene Araki, co-producer; Sam Valenti, co-producer; Megan Hodge, music director; Alicia Hicks, music director junior; Sarah Rouse, choreographer junior.; Gerald Lucena, set designer; Pamela Hicks, props; Renee Monell, costume designer; Annie Herring, sound designer/operator; boB Gage, lighting consultant; Justyn Toyama, lighting junior; Terry Ann Fujioka, stage manager; Tyler Savarese, stage manager junior; Kai Bram, stage crew; Cameron Bailey, house manger; Mormetta Muir, voncessions; Sharyn Toyama, box office; Jerry Tracy, artistic director; and Gill Pecceu, technical director.
Thoroughly Modern Millie Jr. runs through June 21 with showings on Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. and Sundays at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for young adults and $5 for children 17 and younger.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.apachawaii.org or call 322-9924.
