Thoroughly Modern Millie Tour Review -- 2/12

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 2/12/05 at 5:26pm

I am seeing the tour tonight in Akron. I am very excited to see it again...the only similarity from the first time is Darcie and a couple of ensemble members. I will review it later tonight.

From Bryan McElroy's journal :

All I've gotta say is WOO HOO to Akron. This may sound weird when you scroll back to some of the other cities we've been to, but I want to have last night's crowd travel with us everywhere. The theatre is on a college campus and I think the house consisted MOSTLY of students who were just a performers dream come true. It's been a while since we've had that, god bless em. The EJ Thomas performing arts center is kind of small, but the sound in there is quite incredible. There is very little wing space on stage left (where I make 80% of my entrances) but behind the stage, stage right, and the dressing areas are actually quite generous in size.

[ShuQ]

Posted: 2/12/05 at 7:33pm

I am always marveled by how much time he has to write in that journal. And BTW..if you haven't seen the show yet, how is this a review? Updated On: 2/12/05 at 07:33 PM

[Hank]

Posted: 2/12/05 at 8:48pm

I hope you're enjoying the show. If the show started on time, (it's 8:39 pm), right about now they should be doing "How the Other Half Lives". And "The Speedtest" will be coming up soon. God, do I love that show! Saw it 7 times on Broadway, and caught the tour last November in Baltimore. I see it's coming to Providence in a couple of weeks, hey, that's only about 180 miles from here, and this may be the last chance for a while until community theatre, maybe The Papermill, and eventually, a revival.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 2/12/05 at 11:09pm

"And BTW..if you haven't seen the show yet, how is this a review?"

I plan on putting it in this thread very shortly.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 2/12/05 at 11:54pm

Here goes nothing...not the best review writer.


Thoroughly Modern Millie
February 12, 2005
University of Akron's EJ Thomas Hall
Akron, OH

Tonight I had the pleasure of seeing the national tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie for the second time (first time in 2003). Before I review the show, let me thank the "gentleman" that sat beside me...he was nice enough to come with his girlfriend. Well, YOU SHOULD HAVE JUST STAYED HOME! YES IT IS ALMOST OVER...NO NEED TO OPEN THAT DAMN CELL PHONE ONE MORE TIME! Also, arrive on time people and ushers...do your job and seat people at PROPER TIMES during the performance. Courtesy of TheaterMania.com, here are all of things the guy needs to know:

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Food should not be eaten in the seating area of a theater. Broadway veteran Jennifer Smith, who's currently treading the boards in The Producers, told me she has "actually witnessed a patron eating a McDonald's Happy Meal during a show!" Perhaps the eats made that person happy, but what of those seated around him? I know, I know: They sell those enticing boxes of candy, etc. right there at the concession stands in the theaters, but these items should be consumed in the lobby area or during intermission. No one eats silently. The problem may not even be that your chewing is noisy; the rustling of the packaging can be loud, as well. (A friend of mine told me that he found the trail mix packaging at the Roundabout particularly noisy.)

No one in the theater should be talking except the performers. If you can't hear properly, let me recommend the free headsets available in the lobby; this will avoid your having to ask your companion what's going on. If you don't understand the plot or want to comment on the lovely physique of one of the actors, please wait until intermission or the fall of the final curtain before asking questions or making comments.

During a performance, never inflict on others your negative feelings about the show. We all enjoy things differently, and one person's favorite play of all time can be another's worst nightmare. Chita Rivera -- who is being quoted twice here because she's a living legend! -- says, "It bothers me when people become irritated because you are responding enthusiastically to a show or performance and they don't seem to get it." This does not mean that because you love a show and have seen it 80 times, you should speak the lines along with an actor -- or, God forbid, sing along! In Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events, the grim Grotto sums it up perfectly: "To force your dreadful singing voice on somebody, or even a crowd of people, is one of the world's most wicked crimes."

Please realize that "the use of cameras and recording devices during the performance is forbidden" applies to you. I understand that your former dance teacher from Miss Zeeta's School of Dance in Grand Rapids may be making her Broadway debut and that you feel the need to capture this momentous moment on film, but you must wait until after the show for a photo opportunity. The process of taking a picture involves aligning the camera with the subject, which invariably blocks the sightlines of a fellow patron. Above and beyond that, flash photography may actually endanger the performers, who can be momentarily blinded or distracted by the spray of light. Set pieces in shows are often very heavy and move automatically on tracks controlled by a computer. Do you really want to be responsible for the maiming of a Broadway hoofer just so you can show folks back home that you went to see Footloose? I didn't think so!

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Now that I have that out of the way! First, let me me begin by saying that this show is just plain fun. I will admit it is nothing too special, but for some reason...I love it. Jazzy showtunes, energetic dancing, humorous storyline, fun characters, colorful costumes, etc. What is there not to love? The first act is pretty long. It really drags. The second act is much better.

Darcie Roberts...how cute is she? She has wonderful comedic timing and a heck of a voice. Sometimes I think she is afraid to really let it go, though...not in Gimmie Gimmie, which was beautiful as always. There is a possibilty she was catching a cold...she seemed a little conjested after the show. I still enjoyed her performance so much and give her a standing ovation. She will always be MY Millie...I have not seen anyone else play the role.

I was suprised to read in the program that Sean Allan Krill was back in the role of Trevor Graydon. The web site still has John Ganun listed. I saw Krill the first time as well. He reminds me a lot of Chris Seiber. ABSOULTELY HILARIOUS. He had a voice of an angel as well. Act II is his time to shine. He steals it right out of the other's hands.

Stephanie Pope...the vocal performance I enjoyed the most. She blew down the house! She made the songs her own and I loved it. Much better than Pamela Issacs (I think that is her name), who I saw the first time. Beautiful performance.

Everyone else gave a very impressive performance. I feel it is the book that slows the show down, not them.

Thanks again to Darcie for doing the interview with me for my school newspaper. I got to give her a copy and she seemed pleased.

Everytime I go to see a show, the more I want to leave with the cast and go on tour! TAKE ME WITH YOU!

Updated On: 2/13/05 at 11:54 PM

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 2/12/05 at 11:57pm

Nice review. I miss Millie!

[commasplice]

Posted: 2/13/05 at 12:01am

eeee, thank you for posting a review! I'm seeing the tour next month for the first time and I'm VERY excited, and reading good reviews makes me even moreso

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 2/13/05 at 12:02am

Just be careful...some love it, some hate it.

[rclocalz]

Posted: 2/13/05 at 12:16am

Okay so just to let you know... Late seating is decided by the touring company NOT the ushers. So when ushers are seating late comers, it is at the point of time that the COMPANY wants it to happen. Sorry you thought that ushers aren't doing their job when they actually were. thank you.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 2/13/05 at 12:21am

Listed in the program I received this evening:

Seating latecomers:
Please note the curtain time is printed on your ticket. Peformances begin promptly. In consideration of others, latecomers will be seated at a suitable pause in the program.

During the opening number is NOT a suitable pause.

Updated On: 2/13/05 at 12:21 AM

[rclocalz]

Posted: 2/13/05 at 12:31am

When the tour came to Nashville the company specifically said that ushers seat late comers through the opening number and then stop till after the next song. And why is it printed in the program? If you get your program, doesn't that mean you'll be on time for the show if you have time to read that little blurb? I don't think late comers would be reading that part. Sometimes what the audience reads isn't what the workers are exactly told to do. Thats just the way it is. I am not trying to argue with you. I just want you to know that the ushers were probably doing what they were told and nothing more.

[rclocalz]

Posted: 2/13/05 at 12:33am

by the way, good review of the show.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 2/13/05 at 12:35am

It was very distruptive to me...I paid $50.00 bucks and want to see the opening of the show. The usher should have waited. If it is a Millie policy, then they need to rethink that.

[rclocalz]

Posted: 2/13/05 at 12:38am

They probably do need to rethink it. To be specific... Late seating was not suppose to happen until right after the chorus comes on stage to fill the streets of New York City with people and Millie gets lost in it all (hint costume change for her).

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 2/13/05 at 12:41am

That would be fine...but it was during the end of Not For The Life of Me.

Oh well, I am over it now.

[CATSNYrevival]

Posted: 2/13/05 at 1:01am

I wish I had seen the tour when it played San Diego. Instead I let others influence my decision and didn’t go. Do I deserve a second chance? I dunno. But I hope I get one in the future...

[Blair]

Posted: 2/13/05 at 1:21am

BwayTheatre11, I saw the tour twice in Huntsville, and couldn't agree with your review more. I had so much fun! The second time, I saw Laura Woyasz as Millie and LOVED her. Her "Jimmy" the best I have ever seen that song. So adorable.

He reminds me a lot of Chris Seiber.
I thought the same exact thing.

Bryan McElroy is a sweetie. Love him.

I have to say that I missed Diana Kaarina though. I saw her as Miss Dorothy about a year ago in Houston, and she was the best part of the show then. Anne Warren was good, but not as good as Diana.

[staticradar]

Posted: 2/13/05 at 9:46am

I can't wait to see it. I have tickets for two nights, the first night (front row a little off the side) and the last night (7th row close to center) and I'm really excited to see the show. I missed it on Broadway and was sad about that, but hearing all these great things said about the touring cast has me extremely excited now :)

[whatyouown223]

Posted: 2/13/05 at 10:13am

That's the same way with the Rent tour! People all came in during Glory...I WAS SO MAD.

[WiCkEDrOcKS]

Posted: 2/13/05 at 11:54am

Saw Millie twice on BWAY. I really miss it

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 2/13/05 at 1:22pm

"I have to say that I missed Diana Kaarina though. I saw her as Miss Dorothy about a year ago in Houston, and she was the best part of the show then. Anne Warren was good, but not as good as Diana."

I agree.

[ShuQ]

Posted: 2/13/05 at 1:29pm

I agree...that show is so much fun. Great review.

[timote316]

Posted: 2/13/05 at 2:14pm

Very nice review . I can't wait to see this show when it comes to Providence!

[wicked1]

Posted: 2/13/05 at 8:35pm

The tour comes to my city in March! I can't wait to see it! I saw it on Broadway & loved it! I'm glad to hear that the tour is good! It makes me that much more excited about seeing it.

[BwayTheatre11]

Posted: 2/13/05 at 10:42pm

Sure...some who have seen it on Broadway hate the tour, so go open minded, remembering it IS a tour.