Musical makes return in Corson

By Vanessa McCray
vmccray@record-eagle.com

May 03, 2008 04:00 am

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INTERLOCHEN -- For the first time in more than two decades, the Interlochen Arts Academy theater division will stage a musical in Corson Auditorium.

The flapper-infused, Jazz Age musical "Thoroughly Modern Millie" will be performed at 7:30 p.m. May 9 and 10 at Interlochen's nearly 1,000-seat venue. Director Robin Ellis, an Interlochen theater instructor, said the production marks a departure from the much smaller Harvey Theatre and will allow more people to take in the show.

The academy's Jazz Ensemble will accompany the 49-member musical cast.

Ellis described the show as "wonderful family fun" full of "lots of dancing and singing."

"Thoroughly Modern Millie" captured six Tony Awards in 2002. Ellis saw the original Broadway production after standing in line for three hours to get tickets and "fell in love" with the show.

"This is a great musical," she recalls thinking. "It would be wonderful for Interlochen."

The story follows Millie, who moves to New York City and adopts the flapper life. Emily Koch, a junior from California, stars in the title role in the Interlochen production. Whitney Winfield and Alexandrea Tocco, both seniors from Florida, play strong supporting roles, Ellis said.

"This is a tap show, and my choreographer as well as the students have been hard at work learning all these tap numbers," she said.

Students also perform traditional musical theater dance numbers, said choreographer Judy Harrison. The challenge she faced was to create routines that students of all skill levels could perform. She worked to find "that happy medium where you make all the kids look spectacular."

Harrison saw the Broadway show and studied dance styles from the era.

"It's such a fun show," she said. "It's a feel-good show. It's cute. It's funny."

Tickets are $16 for adults, $12 for senior citizens and $8 for students. For more information, visit www.interlochen.org or call the box office at (231) 276-7800.

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