Special guests to join 'Thoroughly Modern Millie' at M.H.S.
The year was 1922, the height of the Jazz Age. Modern women were bobbing their hair, raising their hemlines, entering the workforce and rewriting the rules of love. Mundelein High School Theatre is bringing this fun-filled era to life this spring with their production of the Tony Award-winning musical, "Thoroughly Modern Millie."
The show runs at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, April 28 and 29, and at 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday, April 30. Ticket prices are $10 for adults and $5 for students, children and seniors. Tickets can be reserved at www.mhstheatre.net, or purchased at the door 45 minutes before curtain for each performance.
As an added treat, there will be a special guest performer for each production. On Thursday, social studies teacher Susan Theotokatos will be joining the cast. On Friday, coach Larry Calhoun will be onstage. Saturday afternoon will find Principal Dr. Anthony Kroll trodding the boards of M.H.S. And at the final performance Saturday night, Dr. Kevin Myers, District 120 superintendent, will join the cast for the final run of the show.
Based on the 1967 Academy Award-winning film, the musical written by Jeanine Tesori ("Shrek the Musical," "Fun Home"), Dick Scanlon and Richard Morris, debuted on Broadway in 2002 and ran for more than 900 performances. It is the story of a small town girl, Millie Dilmount, who leaves home for New York City to marry for money instead of love. She soon begins to take delight in the flapper lifestyle, but problems arise when she checks into a hotel owned by the leader of a slavery ring in China.
"This show has something for everyone," said Jonathan Meier, the show's director. "It has a wonderful message about life and love, with lot of laughs, great music, jazzy dance numbers and lots of tap dancing. I don't think I know anyone who does not love this show."
Senior Josie David portrays the title character.
"I can't think of a better way to end my high school career than getting to play Millie," David said. "It is a dream role for those who love doing musical theater."
Sophomore Dominic Cappuccilli portrays Jimmie Smith, Millie's love interest.
"The show is extremely high energy and rehearsals have been pretty taxing, but also lots of fun," Cappuccilli said.
Others in the cast of "Millie" are Patty Roques (Mrs. Meers), Angela Peterson (Miss Dorothy Brown), Thomas Ferro (Trevor Graydon), Payton Cousins (Muzzy), Oscar Delgado (Ching Ho), Brenden Paul (Bun Foo), Elise Campbell (Miss Flannery), Kaila Saunders (Ruth), Kiley Hernandez (Gloria), Bella Canella (Alice), Marisa Nuzzo (Cora), Annie McGrath (Lucille), and Emily Parduhn (Ethel Peas). Ensemble members are Robbie Iraburo-Cochran, George Stedman, Joshua Saunders, Ginny Zundel, Rygar Carvajal, Maddie Martorana, Sydney Litka, Chinedu Ebube, Halli Carpender, Kimberly Barr, Brianna Moderhack, Emily Saunders, Ryan Story, Hannah Weiss, Mackenzie Haith, Rachel Larson, Abby Smith, Jordan Jurasik and Mitchell Cohen. Jenna Panos is the Production Stage Manager and Alex Frumkin is the assistant director.