Erin Dilly millie — Page 2

"I remember Sutton being on The View recently and Whoopi talking about how she was a producer on Millie. She said the original girl in the role wasn't good (Sutton looked embarrassed that Whoopi would publicly state that), and when they saw Sutton do it, everything just clicked."

Here is that interview on The View it starts at 2:45

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aSjUhbQL5qQ

Lizzy, it's part of the original screenplay, where Meers was played by Bea Lillie (wonderfully). She is head of a white slave trade organization. Sending orphaned american women to asia. The character is asian.

From what I saw later, I always thought the character was supposed to be a white lady in yellowface as well. Which is, I suppose, better, but still clumsy and not necessary.

I agree that the caricature Mrs. Meers in the stage version is a tad much.

"What!? I said what I know. Did I claim to know everything? No.

You frequently just make SH*T up to make yourself sound like you're some kind of insider, even though you were probably still in diapers when Millie was having its tryout in La Jolla. On this thread alone, you already claimed that Erin was sick during previews (she already left the show before previews), that she sucked in the role (how would you know?), that they offer Chenoweth the role (inaccurate), and then you backtracked when you were presented with actual facts.

I was 6 during the La Jolla tryout. and Erin was sick! whether in preview or rehearsals whatever. and she did suck in the role because whoopie gilderg said she did. and they did offer cheno the role. those are all true so why are you saying I'm lying. You can go ahead and listen to the theaterppl podcast and michael mayer talks about it. thank you very much

I try not to get involved with this but I finally just have to say why does anyone put up with this little kid drama coming from Phily? I get exhausted just reading all the endless comments.

Not often noted that Sutton and Erin are friends from childhood and were in "The Peanut Butter Players" theater group together here in Detroit with Celia Keenan Bolger, Danny Gurwin and David Burtka. The group still exists in Colorado where their director moved. Celia talks about the group to Seth Rudetsky in link below. Celia mentions not having any videos but Sutton has some that she tormented Gurwin with during Little Women. Also, Sutton has stated that she went to Dilly for her blessing and Dilly said, "Go for it dude." Of course it was not too many years later that they were both up for the Tony together (Chitty and Little Women)

https://youtu.be/lCR4CZc71e0

I just love that quote. It'd from a book of interviews called "There Is Nothing Like a Dame." I highly recommend it, as both Tonya and Patti LuPone talk dirty about other cast members (Tonya on Toni Colette, and Patti on Sherie Rene Scott).

What did Patti say about Sherie???

"If you have any questions about why Tonya Pinkins left the show, just read my signature :)"

I remembered not caring for her big song (or, I guess, "big" song), but I thought the rest of her performance was very warm and funny. I didn't really like the song that replaced it either, but I think I listened to the cast recording twice and forgot about it.

My experience in La Jolla was honestly one of my most fun theatre memories even though the details are fuzzy. (It was also the first pre-Broadway production of a musical I ever saw.) I found most of the changes afterwards rather baffling.

Updated On: 8/19/15 at 01:21 AM

My understanding is that Erin wasn't really comfortable in the role, especially with the choreography, and the creative team let her bow out gracefully. They put the understudy on and a star was born.