Daily Pioneer News

PLATTEVILLE-The University of Wisconsin-Platteville's Pioneer Players and musical theater group of the Department of Performing and Visual Arts presents "Thoroughly Modern Millie" at the Center For the Arts in the Richard and Helen Brodbeck Concert Hall on the UWP campus. The production opens with a matinee at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1 and continues throughout the week with evening performances at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 2; Friday, April 3; and Saturday, April 4. The production finishes its run with a matinee performance at 3 p.m. on Sunday, April 5.

Based on the 1967 film, "Thoroughly Modern Millie" won the Tony Award for best musical in 2002. "Thoroughly Modern Millie" tells the story of a small-town girl, Millie Dillmount, who comes to New York City to marry for money, not for love, which was a very modern idea in 1922. Dillmount soon finds herself a part of the flapper lifestyle, but problems arise when she checks into a hotel owned by the leader of a white slavery ring in China. "Millie" is full of high-energy dancing and musical numbers, such as the classics "Gimme Gimme" and "Forget About the Boy."

The 26-member cast includes Katie Follmann as Millie, Ryan Currie as Jimmy, Ben Barlow as Mrs. Meers, Kalynn Raifsnider as Miss Dorothy, Josh Blanchette as Trevor Graydon, and Kady Beekman as Muzzy.

"It was important to the theater program that we follow up on the success of last year's 'Anything Goes' with an even more challenging song-and-dance show," said director Ann Farrelly, UWP associate professor of theater. "This production really requires that all of our cast members be triple threats. Everyone sings, dances and acts in this one, and our talented cast is more than up to the challenge."

As is true with any musical production, "Millie" has been a collaboration. Joining Farrelly on the production team are Susan Savage Day, UWP professor of voice and musical director, and choreographer Connie SaLoutos Furlan, an adjunct UWP faculty member in theater and speech communications.

"Sue and Connie have done an amazing job and have worked so hard. I could not have done any of this without their commitment and dedication," said Farrelly. "I am lucky to work with two such talented women and artists."

Brad Carlson, the UWP theater program's technical director/designer, took on the job of recreating the Manhattan of the 1920s. Cole Muth, a 2008 graduate of UWP and lighting designer for last year's "Fiddler on the Roof" and "Anything Goes," designed the lighting for this production. Designing the costumes are Ann Fulton and Mary-Carel Verden of Creative Connections from Stoughton. Fulton and Verden also designed the costumes for last year's "Anything Goes" and last fall's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." Bob Demaree, UWP professor of music, will be conducting the orchestra.

The musical numbers are by Jeanine Tesori, and book and lyrics are by Dick Scanlan and Richard Morris. The musical both satirizes and celebrates the musical comedies of the past, so "raise your skirts and bob your hair" and enter the world of "Thoroughly Modern Millie."

Tickets are available through the University Box Office located on the ground floor of Ullsvik Hall. The University Box Office hours are Monday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Wednesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets are available by phone at (608) 342-1298 or at http://tickets.uwplatt.edu. Tickets are also available from the CFA location beginning one hour before ticketed performances. Ticket prices are $7 for adults, $6 for UWP faculty, and $5 for anyone age 17 and under, senior citizens and UWP students with a valid ID. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit the CFA Box Office on the ground floor of Ullsvik Hall on the UWP campus or call at (608) 342-1298.

Contact: Ann Farrelly, UWP associate professor of theater, (608) 342-6045, farrellya@uwplatt.edu Formatted by: Morgan Spitzer, UWP Public Relations, (608) 342-1194, spitzerm@uwplatt.edu