SYRACUSE – After a decade’s absence, Kristin Bonner has returned to Wawasee High School to direct the spring musical “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” Her cast of 40 includes 20 seniors. Ashley Pulley is assisting with vocals. This year they are forming a full orchestra, led by former Wawasee student Scot Sweazy. His mom, Deb Sweazy, is continuing as the set and costume designer. Wawasee presents “Thoroughly Modern Millie” March 21-23. Curtain rises at 7 p.m. All seats are reserved, and tickets are $8 for adults and $6 for students. Call 574-457-3147 to order tickets. According to information provided by Bonner, the musical is a comedy and “fun for everyone who sees it. Student choreographer Brooke Miller is creating several show-stopping tap numbers that will leave you breathless.” The show is set in 1922. Millie has just arrived in New York. She has guts, pluck, charisma and moxie. She’s the small-town girl with big dreams. Millie gets mugged. When Jimmy Smith – a brash city slicker with an irrepressible, buoyant personality – enters, she trips him. He tells her to go back to Kansas and, when she refuses, suggests she checks into the Hotel Priscilla. It’s a rooming house for actresses. Millie plans to stay and make her mark in the big city. At the hotel, Lucille, Rita, Alice, Gloria and Ruth complain about not getting any acting work, but they aren’t rushing to leave the big city either. A newspaper headline about “white slavery” foreshadows part of the plot of the musical. Mrs. Meers runs the hotel, but she isn’t exactly who she pretends to be. As the story unfolds, the action that follows is “humorous, full of fun and your family will love it,” according to Bonner’s information. Some of the musical numbers in the show include “Not for the Life of Me,” “The Speed Test,” “What Do I Need with Love” and “I Turned the Corner.” The cast of characters includes: Emily Harden as Millie Dillmount; Kenzie Hare, Miss Dorothy Brown; Ben Rairigh, Jimmy Smith; David Ryl-Kuchar, Mr. Trevor Graydon; Chris Oesch, Bun Foo; Jonathan Bollenbacher, Ching Ho; Kasey Shell, Mrs. Meers; and Amanda Bradley as Muzzy Van Hossmere. Muzzy’s boys include Matthew Pulley, David York, Terry Netzley and Jeff Helfers. Katie Acton plays Rita; Maddie Hite, Cora; Tessa Riley, Lucille; Ashley Helfers, Ethel Peas; Delaney Brooks, Alice; Sarah Harden, Ruth; Jamaica Ensz, Gloria; Brittany Frecker, Daphne; and Ryan Schlipf as Dexter. Dishwashers and waiters are played by Scott Griffith, Jacob Heath, Kevin Schlipf and Owen Donahue. Skyler Moore plays Rodney; Colfax Cannaday, George Gershwin; James Heath, Kenneth; Cyndi Thornburg, Mama; Ashley Helfers, Mathilde; Amanda Pancake, Dorothy Parker; Sophia Nyce, new modern; Brittany Frecker, pearl lady; Brett Heinish, the letch; Skyler Moore, policeman; and Brooke Miller as Miss Flannery. Speed tapists are Katie Acton, Maddie Hite, Tessa Riley, Brittany Frecker, Carly Erst and Becky Snavely. The ensemble includes Audrey Anker, Jesse Brito, Dorinda Brito, Melodie Jones, Andrew Busse and Sophia Nyce. In the orchestra will be Jasmine Ensz, Dr. Joyce Dubach, Mariah Woolley, Cassie Ewald, Ali Rairigh, Ron Klawitter, Sarah Shepherd, Danny Allen, Ron Klawitter, Jasmine Ensz, Joey Shepherd, Dan Buchman, David Betz, Haylee Wagner, Kirk Cramer, Cassie Ewald, Mike Jones, Don Klawitter, Alexis LeCount, Kaine Pierce and Sally Ann Miller.
