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Presenting 'Millie,' a family musical
Flappers and tap dancers coming soon to Firehouse Theater

"Thoroughly Modern Millie" is opening at the Firehouse Arts Center on Friday, Oct. 7, being presented by the Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre.

It's the story of Millie Dillmount seeking a new life in New York City at a time when women were entering the workforce and the rules of love and social behavior were quickly changing. Flappers, tap-dancers, dashing leading men, and a villainess add to the merriment.

"Unlike our recent productions of 'Cabaret' and 'Chicago,' this is a truly family-friendly show that explodes with fun -- major tap dancing production numbers, fabulous characters and loads of energy from the Roaring 20s," said PCRT"s Co-Artistic Director Pat Parr.

"Based on the 1967 film starring Julie Andrews, the stage version features new songs, and our production once again features a seven-piece band of professional musicians."

"Thoroughly Modern Millie" is directed by Dyan McBride and choreographed by Renée DeWeese, who won a Shellie Award for her choreography of Contra Costa Musical Theatre's 42nd Street in 2008 and was nominated for the company's "Oklahoma!" DeWeese is the founder and director of Little Broadway, a children's musical theatre program in Walnut Creek and Castro Valley.

The cast features professional actors working alongside Bay Area community performers. Millie is played by Molly Millett, Ms. Dorothy by Erin Reis, Jimmy by Mark Farrell, Trevor Graydon by Gabriel Grilli (who portrayed the Emcee in Cabaret), and the diabolical Mrs. Meers by Ali Lane. Also featured is a Sacramento favorite Cami Thompson as the unflappable Muzzy van Hossmere.

Thoroughly fun

What: "Thoroughly Modern Millie"

Who: Pacific Coast Repertory Theatre

When: Oct. 7-23, at 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays

Where: Firehouse Arts Center, 4444 Railroad Ave. in downtown Pleasanton

Tickets: $17-$33. Group discounts available. Call 931-4848 or visit www.firehousearts.org

-- Dolores Fox Ciardelli

Posted by Carol Ellis, a resident of another community, on Oct 14, 2011 at 2:15 pm

Thoroughly Modern Millie is an absolute delight. Not your usual mediocre community theatre. From the professional sets and costumes to the energetic dancing, this show steals your heart. Gabriel Grilli is stunning as Trevor Graydon, Millie's egotistical boss. The first act floats along with light laughs and evil interjections by Mrs. Meers (Ali Lane at her absolute best), but the show stopper comes along towards the end of Act I, where Muzzy makes her grand entrance. Cami Thompson is quite literally a show stopper. Her voice radiates throughout the whole theatre and gave everyone chills. The audience had begun to clap before she finished the last note. All and all the production is entertaining, well-cast, and worth going to. Go see it before time runs out!