Williamsville South to perform Thoroughly Modern Millie
- a musical about a small-town girl searching for the 'modern' life
by JILL SCHMELZER Reporter

Taylor Gesel, a sophomore who plays "Jimmy Smith," dances with his on-stage crush "Millie," portrayed by Elizabeth Decker.

Williamsville South High School music director Roger Paolini has brought the spirit of Julie Andrews back to the stage for the second consecutive year, but this time in a completely different light.

Andrews played Millie in the 1967 movie version of "Thoroughly Modern Millie," a musical about a girl from Kansas who moves to New York to find a new "modern" life.

The musical version will be presented on South's stage at 7 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 8, 9 and 10, with a matinee show at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 11 at 5950 Main St., Williamsville.

"After (last year's) 'Sound of Music,' which was serious, we wanted to do something snazzy," Paolini said. "This is a whole new experience." Andrews also starred in "Sound of Music."

The director said he has been on a waiting list for the past three years to get amateur rights to perform "Thoroughly Modern Millie." South will be the first school in Western New York to produce it.

Senior Elizabeth Decker, who plays Millie, said her character moves to New York determined to be a modern woman. A man named Jimmy Smith, played by sophomore Taylor Gesel, interferes with Millie's plan to marry her boss.

Bianca Macpherson, junior, and Vo-Ece Haygood, freshman, practice their moves for Williamsville South's production of "Thoroughly Modern Millie." Photos by Joe Eberle Purchase photos at www.beenews.com

"She likes Jimmy but won't let herself fall in love with him because she wants to be modern," Decker said.

Millie seeks advice from her confidante, Muzzie, a rich, older singer. Sashel Haygood, a senior, said a big part of what Millie believes is that "Love has nothing to do with it."

Junior Mark Perkins plays Trevor Graydon, the rich man

Millie moves to New York to

marry, but his heart belongs

to Miss Dorothy,

portrayed by junior Megan Kwietniewski.

"My character actually

has money but lives the life of an average person,"

Kwietniewski said. "I get kidnapped by the owner of

the hotel and rescued by Ching Ho."

The play will take the audience through a series of plot twists and comedic performances, Decker said. There are also a number of dance scenes.

The dancers will give the audience a Broadway-style show, and the music is the most difficult score the band has ever played, said Paolini.

"It's a light, funny musical," he said.

The director added that the audience can look forward to a large jazz number in the first act.

"There is lots of fun, wonderful music with great dancing," he added.

"Thoroughly Modern Millie" won a Tony Award for "Best Musical" in 2003.

Tickets cost $8 and can be purchased at the school or at the door.

WHEN:
    7:00 p.m. 
    Thursday,
    Friday &
    Saturday
    Feb. 8-10 
    & 2:00 p.m.
    Sunday,
    Feb. 11
WHERE:
    Wi l l i a m s v i l l e 
   South High
    School
    auditorium 
TICKETS:
    $8 at the
    door