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!
CCM '10!
Updated On: 2/13/05 at 11:54 PM
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