BWW Reviews: The Empress Theatre takes on THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE

Try if you might to sit still and not tap your feet or snap your fingers during any musical set in the 1920's. The comedy is slapstick and somewhat cheeky at times. The music is simple, and yet it moves the story along just right. The characters are flighty and aloof, yet you root for them as they lure you into their realm of existence. The Empress Theatre's "Thoroughly Modern Millie" directed by: Michelle Hudson, fits that bill to a tee!

And so enters, Millie Dillmount, an ambitious girl from the midwest - Salina, Kansas, to be exact. Dillmount has her heart set on making it big in New York City, but not in the way you'd think. Millie, in a revolutionary stance, decides she wants to marry for money - not love. A concept very foreign or some might even say a little too "modern" for a woman in that era. As you can imagine, that scheme falls flat, fast and hard, but the road to transformation makes it all the more endearing to watch. I won't give away the end of the show - you have to come see it for yourself.

(SPOILER ALERT: The guy gets the girl in the end!)

One might challenge how a regional theatre, in the quaint township of Magna, UT, located 30 minutes outside of Salt Lake could take on such a show, but regardless of its shortcomings, the Empress Theatre encompasses the heart and the essence of what a respectable theatre should embody. The cast enjoyed themselves on stage, the audience was entertained and the integrity of the original work was not compromised.

The show had its challenges, however the Empress' cast of "Millie" did not skimp on conviction and projection. Jamie Victor, who smoldered in the role of Muzzy Van Hossmere, had a very Mae West-like quality and belted out her notes like a young Patti Lupone, at times. Johnny Hebda, captivated as the leading man, Jimmy Smith, but in a quirky, obscure kind of way - a la Dick Van Dyke. His boy-like innocence, almost obliviousness, was refreshing in the show. Other standouts included: Amy Metler, as the ultra-sassy, Miss Flannery and, of course, Christin Saling in the lead role of Millie.

Staging seemed to be problematic for the cast, mostly due to the size of the space in conjunction with the amount of people in various numbers, and though choreography was quite ambitious and heroic for such varying levels of dancers, a few numbers did soar. "The Speed Test" was a winner! Kudos to Christin Saling, who not only delivered the goods as Millie, but also served as choreographer. The way the cast maneuvered those stenog machines with precision and care is to be applauded and the tappers were crisp and sharp, too. "Forget About the Boy", which is arguably the most recognizable number in the show, was enjoyable, as well. "Falling in Love"(reprise) was well-staged and sweet.

One thing's for certain - if you like musicals or maybe just simply a fan of the "flapper era", you can't go wrong coming to see a show like "Thoroughly Modern Millie". For tickets to an upcoming show or times/dates, please go to the website: http://www.empresstheatre.com/, "Thoroughly Modern Millie" plays through June 20th at the Empress Theatre.

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