Local Performer in "La La Land"

Massapequa’s Millie Micheals simply wants to hear some laughter. In order to make that happen, this playwright and comedian is asking Long Islanders to take a break from their hectic routines and enter the humorous world of “La La Land.” 

 “La La Land,” Micheal’s play comprised of five comedic vignettes, will be performed on August 9 at 8:00 pm at Bellmore’s Brokerage Comedy Club. Auditions are to be held this Saturday from 10-12:30 at the Bar Harbour branch of the Massapequa Public Library.

“They’re pretty out there,” Micheals says of her characters. “La La Land” is but one of the accomplishments listed on Micheals’ resume. Her passion for humor has led her to perform on many stages  before producing  the show.

“I’ve always had an interest in acting and I always loved comedy,” Micheals says. She has taken classes at Manhattan’s Academy of Dramatic Arts, participated in theater groups and traveled along the East Coast with a stand-up comedy group, Ladies Let Loose.

“They were all memorable,” Micheals says of the Ladies Let Loose shows. Produced by Jody Weiner, Ladies Let Loose was like “a weekend out,” according to Micheals, with its focus on women’s funny habits, such as going to the restroom in pairs.

“It was a lot of fun,” she said.

Although Micheals  still has a love for comedy, she began to miss writing while doing stand up comedy. John Blenn, who began his career as an entertainment journalist and later founded  a theater group called Middle Class American Productions in 1995, gave writers like Micheals an opportunity. She showcased several vignettes for Blenn, and eventually branched out on her own.

Micheals’ first full length play entitled, “It’s All About Me,” was about a Catholic school girl named Anna, who was not allowed to be a “regular teen.” The comedic play follows Anna’s time spent shampooing customers in a hair salon, while the employees take her under their wing.

The only thing that might be greater than Micheals’ love for performing  is her love for children. A mother herself, Micheals chose to donate earnings from a  production of “It’s All About Me”  to social service organizations that help kids in Nassau County.

After a successful run at Governor's Comedy Club in Levittown, Micheals met with producers to discuss the possibility of turning “It’s All About Me” into a movie. She's also considered making  it into an independent film.

For now, however, her focus is “La La Land.”

The five vignettes have very entertaining plot lines. They are entitled “Weighty Watchers,” “The Free Range Family,” “Wedding Stalker,” “Mix Match,” and “Inappropriately Yours.” From the women searching for their prince charming in “Wedding Stalker,” to battling the bulge in “Weighty Watchers,” the show will undoubtedly be hilarious whether you’re acting or watching.

Proceeds from “La La Land” will go towards the charity Pack it up for Kids, which provides young children with lunches and snacks when their parents are not home to fix them a meal.

“I’m pretty open,” Micheals admits when looking for actors. The only important criteria they must fit is “having a good personality.”

Actors are to rehearse two days a week for six weeks at the Massapequa Library.

“I want it to be a success,” Micheals says. If you are interested in participating in the play,  come to the auditions. If you’re more of an observer, be sure to catch the play. Either way, you'll  get lost in “La La Land.”