Atlanta Lyric Theatre Presents Thoroughly Modern Millie, Closes 10/2

The winner of six Tony Awards including Best Musical, "Thoroughly Modern Millie" was 2002's most awarded new show on Broadway.

Now the spectacular experience that is "Millie" is coming to The Strand Theatre (117 N. Park Square, Marietta) on the Marietta Square September 16th through October 2nd. This red-hot musical is kicking off Atlanta Lyric Theatre's 32nd season. The production is directed by Lyric Artistic Director Brandt Blocker and choreographed by award winning choreographer Karen Hebert.

Based on the 1967 Oscar-winning film of the same name, "Thoroughly Modern Millie" takes audiences back to the height of the Jazz Age, when "moderns"- including a flapper named Millie Dillmount - were bobbing their hair, raising their hemlines, entering the workforce, and rewriting the rules of love. This singing, dancing, romancing musical takes place in Manhattan, 1922, with all the jazz-age razzmatazz you want in a big, bright, brand-new Broadway blockbuster. It's the story of a Midwestern girl who arrives in New York determined to take the town by storm. USA Today says "Millie" is "a thoroughly delightful experience." And as Time Out New York says, "you can't see this kind of whirling, transporting pop entertainment anywhere else!"

Starring as Millie Dillmount is Broadway and Lyric veteran Claci Miller (Broadway: Annie Get Your Gun; Alliance: Sister Act; Atlanta Lyric: Little Shop of Horrors, Cabaret, The It Girl). Maxim Gukhman (Indianapolis: Footloose; Fireside Theatre: Fiddler on the Roof; Atlanta Lyric: Rent) plays Jimmy Smith, a charming, care free young man who pines for Millie's affection. However, Millie has set the standard of marrying her single, stuffed-shirt boss Trevor Graydon, III played by Bryant Smith (Gateway Playhouse: A Chorus Line; Jersey Productions: Once Upon a Mattress; Theatre in the Square: Stealing Dixie).

Jennifer Smiles Plumley (Alliance: The Game of Love and Chance; Theatre in the Square: The 1940's Radio Hour; Atlanta Lyric: 42nd Street) plays Miss Dorothy Brown, friend of Mille and love interest of Trevor Graydon, III. Playing the mysterious and sinister Mrs. Meers, proprietress of the Hotel Priscilla, is Marcie Millard (Stage Door: Master Class; Georgia Ensmble: Forbidden Broadway; Atlanta Lyric: The It Girl). Mary Nye Bennett (Horizon: Avenue Q; Rocky Mountain Rep: Always Patsy Cline; Atlanta Lyric: 42nd Street) plays Miss Peg Flannery, the curmudgeonly head stenographer to Mr. Graydon. As Mrs. Meers' Chinese henchmen are Jono Davis (Atlanta Lyric: Rent) as Ching Ho and Andy Danh (Atlanta Symphony: La Boheme) as Bun Foo.

Featured as Muzzy van Hossmere, the famed singer and bon vivant, is Atlanta chanteuse Marsha Dupree (Spoleto N.C: Too Marvelous for Words; Atlanta Lyric: Jerry's Girls).

Others in the cast include Aaron Carter, Becca Potter, Becky Simmons, Brittanie Bagby Baker, Chris Lewis, Courtney Bowers, Elizabeth Neidel, Fenner Eaddy, Helen Varner, Matthew Lummus, Micahel Persson, Nathan Lubeck, Victoria Drothler and Zack Everhart.

With music direction by Blocker, "Thoroughly Modern Millie" features scenic design by Tommy Cox, costume design by Lindsey Paris, lighting design by Bradley Bergeron, make up and hair design by George Deavours, and sound design by Bobby Johnston.

A delightful valentine to the long-standing spirit of New York City and the people who seek to discover themselves there, this stage version of "Thoroughly Modern Millie" features 15 songs, including two from the 1967 film, four standards from the 1920s and nine new songs by Jeanine Tesori (music) and Dick Scanlan (lyrics).

All performances are held at The Earl Smith Strand Theatre at 117 N. Park Sq., on the historic Marietta Square.

For tickets and information call 404-377-9948 or visit www.AtlantaLyricTheatre.com.

Performance Schedule
September 16, 17, 18 Friday & Sat. @ 8:00, Sun. @ 2:00
22, 23, 24, 25 Thurs., Fri. & Sat. @ 8:00, Sun. @ 2:00
29, 30 October 1 & 2, 2011 Thurs., Fri. & Sat. @ 8:00, Sat. & Sun. @ 2:00

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