The Friday 5 (On Thursday): THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE's Samuel & Smith

Nashville's summer theater season continues its fast clip with tonight's opening of the blockbuster musical Thoroughly Modern Millie at The Larry Keeton Theatre in Donelson. Running through June 25, the tap-happy musical features Keeton favorite Stella London in the title role of Millie Delmount, with Austin Jeffrey Smith and Tyler Samuel playing Jimmy and Miss Dorothy, respectively.

Here's your chance to get to know Samuel and Smith better before seeing them take the stage in Millie (or perhaps before they launch their own vaudeville act...Samuel and Smith? It's a marquee ready moniker, for sure) in today's edition of The Friday 5 (on Thursday)...

Tyler Samuel (Miss Dorothy)

What was your first taste of "live, onstage" theater? My first "live onstage" experience was with Circle Players back when they did Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat at Johnson Theater at TPAC. I was in the kids' chorus and I remember auditioning with the song "Strongest Suit" from Aida which, in retrospect, I wonder why my mother allowed her probably seven-year-old daughter to sing that song, but I loved it!!

What's your favorite pre-show ritual? My favorite pre show ritual would have to be eating Haribo Gummi Bears while drinking water creating a flavored water. Yes, terrible for my teeth but chewing the gummies calms my nerves.

What's your most memorable "the show must go on" moment? My favorite show must go on moment was in 2011 in Fame Forever where I played Georgia Washington. It was a scene where my character and character's mother (Latoya Gardner) were on a raised platform in chairs. In the middle of my song half of my chair fell off the edge of the platform then as I stood up the whole chair just completely fell off over the orchestra pit. Had I fallen off in the chair I would have fallen backwards into the orchestra pit so I was grateful. Made for an interesting show!

What's your dream role? My dream role is Christine Daae in Phantom of the Opera. That was the first show I saw live at five-years-old and made me want to go into music. Carlotta was actually what got me interested in Opera because I wanted to sing high and fast like her which is why I ended up getting my degree in classical performance. But Christine Daae for sure!

Who's your theatrical crush? My vocal crush is Kristen Chenoweth and my romantic theater crush is Anthony Ramos who is now in Hamilton, he is such a cutie!!!

Why should people should come see Thoroughly Modern Millie? You should come see our show Thoroughly Modern Millie if you love AMAZING singing, SPECTACULAR Tap numbers, and TERRORIZING orphans! Get ready for a great night of laughter!!

Austin Jeffrey Smith (Jimmy)

What was your first taste of "live, onstage" theater? My first live onstage taste of theater would have to be a production of "Treasure Island" put on by the Nashville Children's Theater when I was in elementary school.

What's your favorite pre-show ritual? My favorite pre-show ritual is one my fellow thespians of Cumberland University do before every show. It is called "Genesis." With each and every performance of a show being new and different from the last, the cast at about two minutes before the show would gather in a circle and hold hands. The director of the show would say a few words then each would say the word, "Genesis" in character. There are a few words we all say afterwards, but due to the sacred nature and respect I cannot disclose them.

What's your most memorable "the show must go on" moment? My "the show must go on" memory is one I won't forget but it would have to be during a performance of The Music Man, when I lost my voice due to sudden sickness. Playing the role of Tommy Djilas was a speaking role and I also had a small solo in an ensemble song. Despite no voice I pulled through and did the part...only an octave lower than it should have been. Needless to say a young boy of Tommy's age would not have sounded like that but it had to be done.

What's your dream role? My dream role is a hard one to place due to having so many loved and adored roles. However, the one that comes to mind first would be to play The Phantom, or Erik for any die hard phantom phans like myself, from The Phantom of the Opera. While it is one of the biggest shoes to fill as far as musical principle roles goes, I would absolutely be ecstatic to star in a production of such a beloved show.

Who's your theatrical crush? I would go two ways on this one. While they are based on similar traits, I would have to list my Broadway crush and Theater crush. With Broadway, it would be Sierra Boggess. Not only a fantastic singer and actress, she has so much energy and happiness that she expresses in her life. Theater wise would be Anna Kendrick, she is an awesome individual who had dealings in Broadway but is known for her acting in Hollywood currently. Both actresses on screen/stage and in person/interviews appear to be awesome people!

Why should people should come see Thoroughly Modern Millie? Simple, because it is a fantastic show! From the story, the music, the dancing, the set and the cast, the entire experience is worth seeing! The Keeton Theater crew has put so much time into the production as has the cast. Meticulously working to bring the story of a new to town girl in 1922 New York. I can say without a doubt I am honored to be on stage with all of the cast! Do not miss this show!

About the show: Thoroughly Modern Millie, starring Stella London as Millie Delmount opens tonight at The Larry Keeton Theatre in Donelson, running through June 25.

Joining London in the production are some of Nashville's favorite theater performers, including Tyler Samuel as Miss Dorothy, Austin Jeffrey Smith as Jimmy Smith, with Lisa Graham as Muzzy Van Hossmere, Jason Scott as Trevor Graydon, Marne Matysek as Miss Flannery, Heather Webber as Mrs. Meers, Coleton Wood as Ching Ho and Eric Grim as Bun Foo. Rounding out the cast is an 18-member chorus, lending their talents to this "heavy on the big dancing musical numbers" production.

Jamie London directs, with musical direction by Ginger Newman and choreography by London and Cary Street.

Thoroughly Modern Millie opened on Broadway in April 2002, won six Tony Awards including Best Musical and Best Actress in a Musical and made Sutton Foster (who played Millie) a star. In the homage style of comic pastiche, it is based on the 1967 film starring Julie Andrews and Mary Tyler Moore, which itself was based on the 1956 British musical Chrysanthemum. The story centers on plucky Millie Dillmount freshly moved to New York City from Salinas, Kansas. Her mission, to marry for money instead of love as espoused in the flapper's bible - Vogue magazine. A thoroughly modern plan of action for the newly working women in 1922. Embracing the flapper lifestyle, Millie begins a series of comedic capers after taking up residence at a shady hotel run by a mysterious proprietress. As her journey continues she encounters many other colorful characters and eventually finds herself at shows end in the arms of "the boy" not for money, but for "love."

Dinner seating for the show begins at 5:45 p.m. with a curtain at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and seating at 12:45 p.m. for luncheon with curtain at 2 p.m. for Sunday matinees. Dinner/show tickets are $19 for children 12 and under, $28 for ages 13 and above. Show-only and group tickets are also available.

Call (615) 883- 8375 for information and reservations, or visit the company website at www.thelarrykeetontheatre.org.

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