If
the Broadway musical is a uniquely American art form, then summer stock is a
distilled version of that genre. Marked by large casts composed of enthusiastic
and mostly young performers, summer stock should be a high-energy, refreshing
treat.
Mercury
Summer Stock has this particular theatrical subcategory nailed, as they have
for some years now. And their current production of Thoroughly
Modern Millie is an unabashed treat from start to finish. Featuring some
fine voices and a couple spot-on comedic turns, this show is a cure for what
ails ya. Or, if nothing ails ya at all.
Based
on the Julie Andrews movie, with music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by
Dick Scanlan, it’s all about Kansas rube Millie who moves to the Big Apple to
seek a redo as a modern gal of the 1920s. To wit, she has her cloche hat set on
finding a rich boss she can wed. But in her first moments on the street, she
literally runs into Jimmy Smith, an apparently poor and snarky New Yorker, and
immediately hates him. So you know where that’s going to end up.
In
the title role, Caitlin Messer sings well and has plenty of innocence and verve
as Millie, even though she could add some intensity to both her acting and
singing. And Jason Goldston certainly has the pipes for Jimmy, but doesn’t
quite have the full-on, street-smart edge that would give snap to his feisty
relationship with Millie.
Some
of the real pleasures in musicals such as this occur in smaller roles, and that's where this production really shines. As the office tyrant Trevor Graydon, Brian
Marshall is a hoot, trilling the Gilbert & Sullivan-inspired “Speed Test”
with ever-increasing rapidity. Then later, he is gob-smacked by Millie’s lovely
friend Dorothy, and his duet (“Ah, Sweet Mystery of Life/Falling in Love with
Someone”) with Amy Jackson as Dorothy is as pleasing to the ear as it is
amusing.
Another
standout performance is Hester Lewellen as the hotel manager Mrs. Meers—a
former actress who is now working for a white slavery ring, feeding them nubile
young women without families who come to her flophouse for cheap digs.
Gleefully butchering her Chinese accent, Lewellen has the precise comic timing
of a seasoned pro.
She is well supported by Jeremy Feola and David Petrovic as the Chinese brothers who reluctantly help Mrs. Meers kidnap her guests, aided by surtitles (look up) that translate their faux Chinese. Dan
DiCello as a campy Miss Flannery and Kelvete Beacham as the jazz age doyenne Muzzy
van Hossmere also add some smiles.
It
is well staged by MSS director Pierre-Jacques Brault with snappy pacing and
clever, small set pieces. The costumes by Colleen Bloom are a period delight,
as is the choreography by Jens Lee.
Indeed,
the entire large ensemble performs the song and dance numbers with high
spirits, even when technical skills fail them a bit. But hey, this is summer
stock. And you won’t find a better example of it than here at Notre Dame
College.
Thoroughly
Modern Millie
Through
June 28, produced by Mercury Summer Stock at Notre Dame College, 1857 S. Green
Road, South Euclid, 216-771-5862.
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