Reviewed by Judy Richter
Broadway By the Bay's production of "Thoroughly
Modern Millie"
is a thoroughly entertaining musical. Originally a film, it was adapted for the
stage and outfitted with a book by Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan, new music by Jeanine Tesori and new lyrics by Dick Scanlan. Set in the Roaring Twenties,
it's the story of a skilled but naive stenographer, Millie Dillmount (Melissa
WolfKlain), who
moves to New York City from Kansas, bobs her hair, shortens her skirts and
determines to marry her rich boss -- as soon as she can find a job.
With
more pluck than money, she rents a room at the Priscilla Hotel, which caters to
young women much like herself She soon finds friends and a job with a rich,
eligible boss, Trevor Graydon III (William Giammona), who has no interest in her
other than the professional. In the meantime, she has met an equally penniless
young man, Jimmy Smith (Ben Jones), who persistently courts her even though she's focusing
on her boss. A subplot involves the evil hotel manager, Mrs. Meers (Mary
Gibboney), who
poses as a Chinese woman and who seems especially interested in tenants who are
orphans.
Cleverly
directed by Dennis Lickteig, the BBB production simply bubbles along with a terrific
cast of talented singers/actors/dancers -- nary a weak link among them. The
songs are mostly bouncy, and many of them are filled with musical allusions to
composers like Sullivan, Tchaikovsky, Offenbach and Rossini, increasing the fun for lovers
of classical music. As for Robyn Tribuzi's choreography, it's just one eye-poppingly
precise delight after another. Her husband, Attilio Tribuzi, serves as musical director and
has the orchestra playing well.
WolfKlain,
the show's only Equity performer, is a pert, determined Millie who also shows
her character's vulnerability. She's well-paired with Jones as Jimmy, who has a
pleasing tenor voice. Giammona is nicely pompous as her boss, while Gibboney
makes one want to boo Mrs. Meers' villainy. There are lots of standouts in the
supporting cast, with Dominique Bonino as Miss Dorothy Brown, Millie's new best friend;
and Joshua Lau as
Ching Ho and Jeffrey C. Wang as Bun Foo, the Chinese brothers who are coerced into
helping Mrs. Meers with her misdeeds. Also lending strong support are Heather
Orth as Miss
Flannery, the dowdy, uptight office manager; and Jackie De Muro as Muzzy Van Hossmere, a rich,
popular cabaret singer. The large ensemble is engaging, too.
The
sets are by Gateway Playhouse (lighting by Michael Ramsaur), and the colorful costumes come
from The Theatre Company.
"Millie"
is yet another feather in BBB's hat, a thoroughly professional, thoroughly
enjoyable experience.