Cappies Review: Heritage High's 'Thoroughly Modern Millie'

LEESBURG, VA — It's 1922 and skirts are getting higher, haircuts are getting shorter, and bands are getting jazzier. Into this thoroughly modern world steps Millie Dillmount, a plucky small-town girl with big dreams of becoming a full-fledged modern. She arrives in New York City with the thoroughly modern intent of marrying rich, but the suave yet penniless Jimmy Smith soon has her questioning between reason and romance.

Love, crime, and the exploration of what it means to be modern came together in Heritage High School's recent production of Thoroughly Modern Millie to create a thoroughly entertaining show.

Based on the 1967 film of the same name, Thoroughly Modern Millie opened on Broadway in 2002 with music by Jeanine Tesori, lyrics by Dick Scanlan, and a book by Richard Morris and Scanlan. With Sutton Foster playing Millie, the show went on to win six Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical.

Emma Leone was a star as the titular Millie. Sophisticated vocals, consistently strong dancing, and an engaging, dynamic characterization made this leading lady a force to be reckoned with. Leone demonstrated incredible range both vocally and emotionally, captivating the audience with solos like "Gimme Gimme" that were at once powerful and vulnerable.

She presented a clear character arc as the spirited Millie experienced independence, heartbreak, and an ultimate adjustment of priorities while still retaining Millie's fiery resilience.Leading man Jimmy Smith (Jacob Littman) developed alongside Millie as their relationship grew.

The duo's budding chemistry came to a head in "I Turned the Corner" with a surprisingly believable dance on a window ledge. Miss Dorothy Brown (Lyndsay Snider) was a foil to Millie's bold character with beautiful soprano tones and a comical character arc.

The sinister Mrs. Meers (Amanda White) exhibited impeccable comedic timing and diction as she donned the hunched physicality and wavering voice of an old woman to carry out her crimes at the Hotel Priscilla.

In what could have easily been a satisfactory yet unremarkable "green glass" role, Maddie Sisson shined with all the radiance of an emerald as the enigmatic Muzzy Van Hossmere. Sisson's rich, booming vocals brought down the house in both "Only in New York" and "Long As I'm Here With You."

Jai-Lani Walker was another standout as the cantankerous Ms. Flannery. Walker stole every scene she was in with hilarious facial expressions and an animated characterization even while dancing. Hannah Turner wowed as a dancer whether showing off high kicks in a speakeasy dance-off or pattering away as a Speed Tappist in the Sincere Trust Insurance office.

Heritage's dedication to the show's tap-heavy choreography heightened the Jazz Era-feel of the production and made such numbers as "Forget About the Boy" some of the most memorable of the night. A large ensemble executed complicated tap moves with perfect precision and unity. Even the stage crew utilized tap during certain scene changes, making transitions seamless and artful.

Lighting was used beautifully, changing colors to match the mood of the scene and enhance the story without being distracting. A thoroughly talented cast and crew worked together to create a production as comprehensive as the title suggests.

Heritage High School's Thoroughly Modern Millie was a high-energy performance with detail evident in every aspect of production. While notions of modernity have certainly changed from Millie's time, the lesson that when it comes to marriage, "love has everything to do with it" is universal.

Review by Maggie Klein of Oakton High School

Photo: Mr. Tenglia