'Thoroughly Modern Millie' at Torrington High School - My Review

Torrington High School Student Theatre is presenting Thoroughly Modern Millie at the THS Little Theatre on their campus. It was easy to find the high school that is off the Warner Theatre exit off Route 8 on a rainy evening, and even easier to locate the Little Theatre due to theatrical graphics that are painted on the outside walls. Naugatuck resident Mary McVerry has directed over 150 plays during the 40 years that she has been involved with the Student Theatre. This beloved artistic director will retire at the end of the school year. Someone writes in her bio that "the inspiration she brings to the students of Torrington is only surpassed by her ability to uncover and nurture children who need that little nudge to discover how bright the lights truly shine on stage."

Sybil Chamberlin served as vocal director and choreographer. Yes, that Sybil Chamberlin with a 13 year onstage performing career before she became a math teacher at THS and now performs beautifully in local theatrical productions. Technical director was Victor Leger and these students are further blessed with Holly McCann as instrumental music director. Under the latter's caring direction, the seven piece pit orchestra sounded amazing, and in fact is one of the best small combos that I have heard at a heard at a high school production. The impressively built set of the New York skyline featured a nod to the directors on the door of a law firm. There were also projected subtitles for the lines in Chinese (pulled off by senior Hunter Ashner as Ching Ho and Molly Serven as Bun Foo.)

As patrons chose their seats in the not so little Little Theatre, the orchestra warmed up with a little "Girl From Ipanema."  I shared my row with a large group of polite young men that came out to support their friends in the show. The performance began with a recording of the National Anthem with an American flag in the spotlight (with lighting designed by THS junior Dan Camire.)

The ensemble, which contained at least six earnest (and well-placed) male dancers, carried off the flapper-style dancing in the title song and "Nuttycracker Suite." I loved the taking of the mug shots after the speakeasy arrests. The dancing overall was pretty impressive and featured a lot of fine tap dancing. The sophisticated period costumes overseen by Bonnie Owen and sophomore Julianna Provenzno with assistance from Renee Purdy at the Warner "where all the goodies come from." I loved the black jumpers with colored tights for "The Speed Test;" period or not, they evoked the uniformity of the steno pool and looked great. The sparkly outfits for Muzzy were beautifully worn by sophomore Devyn Bartosiewicz.

The leads in this production all did so well in their roles. Ms. Bartosiewicz was a natural actress as Muzzy Van Hossmere and sang with a beautiful voice. Mitchell Canty was a great Trevor Graydon III in a purple suit (!) Rachel Crook was an appropriately severe Miss Flannery.

Charlotte Hass was a beautiful Miss Dorothy Brown, with a fine soprano voice. Senior Felice Magistrali did a great job with the role of the villain Mrs. Meers; I enjoyed watching her turn her accent on and off and interacting with her Chinese henchmen.

As Jimmy, the multi-talented senior Alex Polzun was spot on. A crystal clear singing voice, great dancing skills (a back flip, no less) and a natural acting ability make this young man a classic triple threat. I wish I had seen him when he played Jesus in Godspell at THS. In the title role of Millie, senior Micaela Bottari appeared onstage for her second time onstage and knocked it out of the theatrical park. She did not miss a single note as she sang the challenging score and was perfectly cast as the wide-eyed innocent. Kudos to her on a perfectly delivered performance.