Westminster’s drama department recently stepped out of their comfort zone to perform Richard Morris’ Thoroughly Modern Millie. The production first introduces the audience to Millie Dillmount, played by Claire Kopsky, senior. Millie is a young girl who just arrived in the busy and modern New York City. Millie first meets Jimmy Smith played by Alec Runge. Jimmy teaches her the cruel reality of New York and sends her to the Hotel Priscilla. There she meets girls like her looking to make it in the big city. Millie also meets Mrs. Meers played by the fabulous Chrissy Talent, junior. Meers is the owner of a hotel for struggling actresses and is the main villain of the story who sells orphaned actresses into slavery. After establishing the setting and main characters, the musical jumps into a thick plot with several twists and turns.

Claire Kopsky brought life and personality to Millie. Kopsky was perfectly on pitch and had great chemistry with her castmates, especially Hannah Geisz who played Miss Dorothy Brown. Kopsky and Geisz brought humor and attitude to the production. Their friendship is one of the main focuses of the musical. Geisz played the part with confidence and left the audience wanting more. The leading men, Drew Straub as Mr. Trevor Graydon III and Alec Runge as Jimmy Smith, both showed impressive voices and dancing.

Thoroughly Modern Millie has content that should not be taken lightly. Set in the time of prohibition, the main characters deal with alcohol abuse and white slavery. Despite the intense themes, the overall feel of the musical is light and fun. Joke after joke, the cast leads the audience on a coming-of-age tale. Different from Westminster’s other productions, Thoroughly Modern Millie is playful, controversial, and romantic.

As well as a fantastic performance from the leads, Mary Heyl as Muzzy Van Hossmere brought joy and laughter to the stage with her performance. As for the supporting roles, Chris Lee as Ching Ho lit up the stage with his loveable performance. The chorus danced in-sync, and dance captain Sydney Thomas and student choreographers Hannah Fiala and Mary Kathryn Hancock’s hard work paid off.

Millie learns throughout the musical that love is more than just a business deal. When she meets Jimmy Smith, she hates him. By the end of the production, Jimmy and Millie fall in love. Thoroughly Modern Millie teaches that love should come before the desire for money and fame.

The Set Club and Audio/ Visual Club helped make the performance possible. Also, although their performance was long, the pit orchestra sounded great.

Thoroughly Modern Millie showed off all of the artistic strengths Westminster students are blessed with. No notes were missed, no lines were forgotten, and no mistakes were made. Besides a couple problems with the set, this production was relatively flawless. Thoroughly Modern Mille deserves a nine out of ten.