Theater Review
If you’re looking for a delightful way to spend a few hours, consider seeing ‘Thoroughly Modern Millie,’ now at the Morgan-Wixson Theater in Santa Monica through August 1. This light-hearted musical romp, directed by Anne Gesling, is filled with humor, dazzling choreography’and clothes ‘to die for,’ thanks to costume designer Ellen King. The set, which incorporates everything from the streets of New York to a hotel to a prison, is cleverly arranged by set designer Thomas Brown. Originally a 1967 movie starring Julie Andrews, Mary Tyler Moore and Carol Channing, ‘Thoroughly’ was transformed into a stage musical that opened on Broadway in April 2002. It subsequently won six Tony Awards, including Best Musical. Set in New York City during the roaring ’20s, Kansas farm girl Millie Dillmount (Krystal Combs) comes to the Big Apple with the ‘modern’ idea of marrying her boss. . .as soon as she can find one. She touts the new flapper idea that love has nothing to do with marriage. During her first day in the city, someone steals her shoes, purse, luggage and money. Luckily, she runs into our hero, Jimmy Smith (Brandon Stanford), who gives her the name of a rooming hotel that caters to young women, then tells her she should go back to the farm. Undeterred by his advice, she gets a room at the Priscilla Hotel, operated by Mrs. Meers (Joanna Churgin), who sells orphaned young women into slavery. Some of the funniest scenes involve the interaction between Meers, a frustrated thespian with a fake Chinese accent, and her two minions Ching Ho (Tony Obnial) and Bun Foo (Rob Eriksson). The two brothers are working to earn enough money to bring their mother to the United States. My 12-year-old, who accompanied me to see the entertaining family fare, is still laughing over the song ‘Muqin,’ in which both men sing ‘Mammy.’ Millie makes friends with Miss Dorothy (Laura Thatcher), a new orphan who shows up at the hotel’and is the next most likely prospect to be enslaved”but manages to thwart Meers’ plans several times by showing up at inopportune times. Millie lands a job, and her boss, the eligible bachelor Trevor Graydon (Zach Pond), is unaware that Millie has deemed him as her ‘modern’ choice for marriage. He is oblivious to Millie’s feminine charms, calling her John. The singing is lovely throughout the show’and the talent pool enormous. It includes performers such as Thatcher (Miss Dorothy), who holds a degree in musical theater, and Pond (Graydon) who used to front a band in Denver. The leads in the show are strong, and Millie (Combs) and Jimmie Smith (Stanford) are well matched. It is hard to believe that this is community theater because the performers, from the leads to the ensemble, have an impressive list of credits. That talent shines through in this excellent production. The theater is located at 2627 Pico Blvd. Shows are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $23 for general admission; $18 for seniors and students. Contact: call 310- 828-7519; visit www.morgan-wixson.org.
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