In all of my years of going to the theatre, rarely have I had as thoroughly enjoyable a time as I experienced last week at the Drury Lane Oakbrook.“Thoroughly Modern Millie,” at its Oct. 29 opening performance, represented one of those special moments when everybody rose to the occasion—the performers on stage, the musicians, and all of the behind-the-scenes talent that created the visual delights throughout the evening.
The Jazz era musical featured fabulous singing, hilarious lyrics, and unexpected shifts in tempo and tone, often occasionally detouring into outright, tongue-in-cheek campiness. All of it wonderfully complemented the outstanding portrayals delivered by the likes of leads Holly Ann Butler (“Millie,” pictured above) and Mark Fisher (“Jimmy”).
Set in New York, 1922, as women began entering the workforce in rising numbers, the story starts with Millie Dillmount arriving in the Big Apple from Kansas. She tears her return ticket in half, determined to carve out a new life of adventure—well, marry for money instead of love is more like it.
Millie falls head over heels with the flapper lifestyle—and very possibly a man, despite herself and her “modern” gold-digging intentions. Alas, it’s all amid a comically sordid white slavery ring operated out of the dubious hotel where she lodges.
“Thoroughly Modern Millie” is so much more than the sum of its parts, but here are a few to single out:
Paula Scrofano as “Mrs. Meers,” (pictured, to the left) an embittered former chorus girl-turned-villain, elicited the most laughs, and she was ably complemented by Richard Manera (“Ching Ho”) and Paul Martinez (“Bun Foo”) (also in photo to left). Keep an eye out for the overhead “translation” of their conversations—it’s a source of rich humor--and brace yourself for their very own musical number.
Melody Betts (“Muzzy Van Hossmere" and pictured to the right, with Mark Fisher) was a soulfully powerful presence, hitting notes with a captivating, resounding luster. She also provided perhaps the most visually memorable, and riotous, scene when she dons electric yellow Holland clogs.
DID YOU KNOW...That "Thoroughly Modern Millie" began as a 1967 film starring Julie Andrews, Mary Tyler Moore, and Carol Channing? In 2002, the film was transformed into a Broadway musical with an almost entirely new score. The production would go on to win six Tony Awards, including Best Musical.
AND DID YOU KNOW....that Tribune theater writer Chris Jones also loved the show? You can see his review here.
WHERE: Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace; 630-530-0111.
WHEN: 1:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 1:30 and 8 p.m. Thursdays; 8:30 p.m. Fridays; 5 and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays; and 2 and 6 p.m. Sundays; through Dec. 20.
HOW MUCH: $29 to $38; for dinner and a show, prices range from $43.75 to $61.
For more information, visit Drury Lane Oakbrook.
PHOTO CREDIT: All photos by Johnny Knight.
