Young Beverly Actresses Take the Stage in Boston Children's Theatre's Production

Get ready to kick up your heels and experience one of Broadway’s most charming and exuberant musicals, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE JR! Featuring 10-year old Ashley Dukatz, 11-year old Julia Norcross and 14-year old Chloe Panico of Beverly, this Boston Children’s Theatre (BCT) Summer Studios 3 production runs July 23 – 26, 2015 at Shore Country Day School, 545 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA.

A student at Shore Country Day School, Ashley Dukatz is a member of the ensemble in the production. Also in the ensemble is Julia Norcross. Julia was recently seen in BCT’s productions of Annie Jr and Fame Jr and she has performed with Neverland Theatre in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Julia is a student at the Sparhawk School. A student at Briscoe Middle School, Chloe Panico is playing the role of ‘Mrs. Meers,’ the owner of the Priscilla Hotel, Residence of Young Ladies. Making her BCT debut, Chloe has appeared in Aladdin at Briscoe, as well as in Honk and Dear Edwina at Camp Mitchman in Beverly. She has also performed with the Northshore YMCA Theatre Company in Alice in Wonderland and Beauty and the Beast, and with Open Road Theatre in Pinocchio and Narnia.

THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE tells the story a small-town girl who follows her dreams to the big city, where she finds romance, adventure and above all, fun. With a book by Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan, new music by Jeanine Tesori, new lyrics by Dick Scanlan, choreography by Brianna Fallon and music direction by Chris Cho, THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE is directed by Mary Guaraldi, director of BCT’s recent productions of Pinkalicious The Musical.

“We are thrilled to welcome back Mary Guaraldi to BCT to direct our Studio 3 production this summer,” said BCT Executive Artistic Director Burgess Clark. “Mary’s boundless creativity and love for the theater combined with her enthusiasm for working with our young actors, promise to make this a summer our students will always remember.”

THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE JR features 44 young actors and will be performed by two rotating casts at Shore Country Day School, 545 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA. Ashley Dukatz will be performing Thursday, July 23 at 7:30 pm, Saturday, July 25 at 7:30 pm, and Sunday, July 26 at 2 pm. Julia Norcross and Chloe Panico will be performing Friday, July 24 at 7:30 pm, Saturday, July 25 at 2 pm and Sunday, July 26 at 7:30 pm. Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students. For tickets and information, visit www.bostonchildrenstheatre.org or call 617-424-6634, x222. THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE is supported by BCT’s 2015 Presenting Sponsor WGBH and is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

About Boston Children’s Theatre

For over 60 years, Boston Children’s Theatre has served as one of the regions premier not-for-profit theaters. Named Best of Boston® 2013 and 2012 by Boston Magazine for Best Children’s Theatre, BCT’s mission is to provide access to exceptional theatrical experiences dedicated to fostering the artistic and personal development of diverse youth, with a focus on professional training and the development of new works. Programs at Boston Children’s Theatre provide a unique chance for self-discovery and individual expression in a supportive, and productive environment. At BCT, talented and motivated students gather from across traditional boundaries and nationalities to learn about themselves, each other and the world as they create some of the finest theatrical productions in New England.