By: Melissa Staab
“Thoroughly Modern Millie” Choreographer
My love affair with Millie started back in 2006 when I was in college and went to go see a local production of the show. Right away from the opening number (also the title of the show) as a dancer I was completely fascinated and captivated. Jeanine Tesori – music and lyrics – does an amazing job of capturing the spirit and flavor of the 1920’s while still adding that great big old musical theater mix that us modern enthusiasts have now come to love.
So, what makes the dancing in this show so much fun? Well, as a dancer, it is challenging and exciting to go outside of your normal comfort zone to embrace decade dance moves of the past, and the 1920’s is FULL of them! Of course, the main step being the Charleston. The step was popularized in mainstream dance music in a tune called "The Charleston" by composer/pianist James P. Johnson which originated
in the Broadway show Runnin' Wild and became one of the most popular hits of the decade. In our production we mostly feature this step in the opening number. The Charleston can be performed in a variety of ways – small and quick, or big and broad with high and low levels. It has lots of room for interpretation and personal flair! In our show, we coined the small and quick version the “squeegee”, where the performers feet cross in front and behind very quickly while trying to keep their bodies straight and poised.
One thing that is new for Spotlight as a company is that Millie is a TAP show! This is a first, and I was eager and willing to take on the challenge. The show features two full tap numbers – “The Speed Test” and “Forget About the Boy” with a few small sections throughout. Having this be the first tap show I’ve ever choreographed, I was nervous about conveying to the performers the intricacies of the sounds and rhythms. I included a few different tap “cuts” at auditions to really make sure that our performers could understand basic tap combined steps like the “time step” which would be often featured during the show. Our 11 Sincere Trust Office Ladies will definitely knock your socks off with their tapping toes! We’ve especially had fun with the number “Forget About the Boy”; I think it will definitely be a showstopper!
Opening number from the Broadway production.
But don’t forget about the boys quite yet! Even they have their moment to shine and show their charming qualities in the jazzy number “Long As I’m Here With You”. I decided to theme this number after the classic top hat and cane dances of the 20’s. The gentlemen get a chance to croon to the audience and support the character of “Muzzy” as she performs her big Cabaret-style number. I think the boys have a lot of fun playing with the style and savoir fare of this type of dance – it really allows them to bring out the charismatic charm that teenage boys seem to misplace now a days. I think what is most challenging is the double concentration of having to work with a prop (the cane) and also think about the vocals and choreography! But these boys will impress you for sure!
As you can see, I am so excited for Millie to open in less than three weeks! This show has been a dream come true for me to choreograph, and I hope you fall in love with it just as much as I have. So get ready to “raise your skirts and bob your hair”, snap those fingers, and tap those toes!
Tickets are on sale NOW!! Thoroughly Modern Millie plays:
Thursday June 9th at 7:30 (Junior)
Friday June 10th at 7:30 (Teen)
Saturday June 11th at 12:00 (Junior), 2:30 (Teen), 7:30 (Teen)
Sunday June 12th at 12:00 (Junior), 2:30 (Teen), 7:30 (Junior).
All performances take place at the Fullerton College Campus Theater. For more information please check out our website = www.YLSpotlight.org.
