The Moonlight Youth Theatre, a Program of Moonlight Cultural Foundation, presents Thoroughly Modern Millie at the Moonlight Amphitheatre from Oct 20-22 at 7:00 pm.

Broadways Multi Award Winning Musical Comedy, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Winner of Six Tony Awards, is based on a 1967 Academy Award winning film.  It takes you back to the height of the jazz age in New York City, when “moderns” including a flapper named Millie Dillmount, (played by Cassie Bleher, a 17 year old Jr at CAHS), were bobbing their hair, raising their hemlines, entering the workforce & re-writing the rules of Love. Cassie has received 3 NYA Awards & nominations.

The opening night started with a VIP Moonlight Youth Theatre reception before the show. A delicious meal was offered by Moonlights on site caterer, Chef DK, with Little Cakes Cupcake Kitchen supplying their yummy mini cupcakes for dessert. Several junior interns were on hand in their 20’s outfits that were selling raffle tickets.  There were several raffle prizes and Silent Auction items raising funds for Sponsorships and Program Funding for the Moonlight Cultural Foundation.

The story is based on a book by Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan.  There is new Music by Jeanine Tesori and new Lyrics by Dick Scanlan.   The musical Director is Lyndon Pugeda, Choreographer is Danny Hansen and the Producer is Mike Bradford, Director of Arts Education.  This is Sarah Errington’s debut as Director/Choreographer. What a fabulous job she does to bring this play to a cheering crowd after every scene and song.

This is what Sarah noticed in conversations with the cast. “They do relate because at the core, Millie is just like all of us.  We all want to find love, we all have hopes and dreams, we all want to fit in and be “Modern!”  Of course, the story is a period piece and clearly stylized in the story telling, but we see a woman with so much charm and pluck go after her dreams with a passion and fire to be reckoned with, she discovers who she is and who she is not in the process, and ultimately takes the leap of faith needed to achieve her own happiness.  Even if it looks different than how she expected.  Be open, take the leap, and enjoy the show- thoroughly!”