spectacular roaring twenties musical comedy at st. … jacobs... · spectacular roaring twenties...
TRANSCRIPT
Spectacular Roaring Twenties Musical Comedy
at
St. Jacobs Country Playhouse
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
WATERLOO REGION – Grab your pearls, bob your hair and get ready to dance the Charleston!
Rehearsals are now in full swing for Drayton Entertainment’s highly anticipated summertime
production of the twenties‐inspired musical romance Thoroughly Modern Millie. This bright
lights, big city musical full of catchy tunes, frisky flappers and high energy dance numbers will
have audiences snapping their fingers and tapping their toes when it explodes onto the stage at
St. Jacobs Country Playhouse from July 5 to July 23.
“Although it’s a relatively new musical, Thoroughly Modern Millie pays homage to the classic
musical comedies in the best way possible – it’s packed with incredible dancing, fun characters, a
wonderfully romantic story and jazzy tunes that will have everyone humming along,” says Alex
Mustakas, Artistic Director of Drayton Entertainment. “If you’re a fan of Broadway favourites like
Singin’ in the Rain, Anything Goes, or Guys and Dolls, you’ll love Thoroughly Modern Millie.”
Welcome to New York City in 1922 – the hemlines are short, the men are dashing and the rules
on love, work, and just about everything else, are ready to be broken. Itʹs the Roaring Twenties,
and young Millie Dillmount has just arrived in the Big Apple in search of a new life. She’s
determined to better her station by becoming a secretary for a wealthy man and then convincing
him to marry her. But, it doesn’t take long before Millie’s “thoroughly modern” plan goes awry.
The hotel she calls home is run by a conniving villainess running a shady business, her wealthy
boss seems immune to her fervent flirtations, and the man she truly loves appears to be penniless.
Can she make her dreams come true?
Based on the 1967 film of the same name, Thoroughly Modern Millie opened on Broadway to great
acclaim in 2000 winning six Tony Awards®, including Best Musical. Featuring a score of brassy
jazz‐inspired hits like “Not for the Life of Me,” “Forget about the Boy,” and the popular title tune,
this twenties‐inspired song‐and‐dance musical is sure to delight audiences both young and
young at heart.
This love letter to all those who arrive in New York with big dreams and stars in their eyes is
brought to life on stage by revered Director and Choreographer Michael Lichtefeld. He returns
to the helm after his successful productions of Anything Goes, The Music Man and White Christmas,
among others. Lichtefeld is joined by Music Director Steve Thomas, Set Designer and Costume
Coordinator Ivan Brozic, Costume Designer Vincent Scassellati and Lighting Designer Kevin
Fraser.
A dazzling cast has been assembled for this fringe‐filled production including leading lady Jayme
Armstrong as feisty flapper Millie Dillmount, the headstrong dreamer who is determined to
acquire big city sophistication. Armstrong has appeared in numerous Drayton Entertainment
musicals, including Singin’ in the Rain, Anything Goes, Chicago and many more.
Newcomer Zach Trimmer is sure to dazzle audiences as the irrepressibly charming playboy
Jimmy Smith, who hopes to win Millieʹs affections despite his lack of financial stability. Trimmer
is a well‐established leading man having played Tony in West Side Story, Danny in Grease, and
Link in Hairspray among other notable roles at regional theatres across the U.S. as well as Hans in
Frozen for Disney Cruise Lines.
Soprano Anwyn Musico will play Millie’s sweet and well‐to‐do best friend Miss Dorothy Brown,
who is looking to get some ʹraw and realʹ life experience in preparation for a career on the stage.
Audiences may remember her as Cosette in Les Misérables or Miss Stacey in Anne of Green Gables.
Experienced villainess and comedienne Kristin Peace, who wowed audiences as Ursula the Sea
Witch in The Little Mermaid will be up to her wicked ways once again as Mrs. Meers, the evil
owner of Hotel Priscilla, who is secretly involved in a sinister business scheme that may put Millie
and her friend in danger. Neil Salinas and Ryota Kaneko are her conflicted henchmen.
Brent Thiessen makes his Drayton Entertainment debut as Millie’s rich and dashing boss Trevor
Graydon, whom she is desperate to marry. Veteran actress Susan Gilmour takes on the role of
glamorous lounge singer Muzzy Van Hossmere, who becomes Millie’s confidante and mentor,
while Christina Gordon is Miss Flannery, the stern office manager who runs the steno pool at
Sincere Trust Insurance Company, where Millie works.
Matt Alfano, Carla Bennett Graeme Goodhall, Jessica Horn, Sarah Matton, Melanie McIneny,
Gregory Pember, Reece Rowat, Keith Savage, Margaret Thompson and Mike Tracz round out
the talented cast.
Thoroughly Modern Millie is proudly sponsored by The MacNaughton Lynch Group of RBC
Dominion Securities. Media Sponsors are 107.7 2 DAY FM and The Hamilton Spectator. The
Design Sponsors are RWAM Insurance Administrators Inc. and Boston Pizza Waterloo. The
2017 Season Media Sponsor is CTV.
Regular performance tickets are $46 for adults; $27 for youth under 20 years of age. Tickets for
select Discount Dates and groups of 20 or more are $37. HST is applicable to all ticket prices.
Thoroughly Modern Millie is on stage from July 5 to July 23. Tickets may be purchased in person
at the St. Jacobs Country Playhouse, online at www.draytonentertainment.com or by calling the
Box Office at (519) 747‐7788 or toll free at 1‐855‐drayton (372‐9866).
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For more information please contact:
Amanda Kind, Marketing Manager
Drayton Entertainment
Phone: (519) 621‐5511 ext. 235