By Annette Hinkle
The curtain rises tonight at 7 p.m. on the Pierson High School spring musical, and this time around, it’s “Thoroughly Modern Millie” Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan’s 2002 Broadway show based on a 1967 movie starring Julie Andrews.
Set in 1920s New York, the play follows Millie Dillmount, a modern gal from Kansas, hoping to find her fortune in the Big City. In 1920s terms, fortune for a young woman means getting a job as a stenographer and working her way up to marry the rich boss.
But make no mistake, while there seem to be more than a few outdated stereotypes in the plot, this is no corny period piece. “Thoroughly Modern Millie” is full of trouble and intrigue worthy of the 21st century — including muggings, speakeasies and the white slave trade.
When asked why she chose it for production, director Paula Brannon has an easy answer.
“It has 12 legitimate parts for girls, and we have a lot more girls participating than boys because of spring sports,” says Brannon. “We would’ve had more boys interested if we didn’t have that. There are still good parts for boys and a lot of girls are playing boys parts as well.”
Beyond the logistics, however, there is more to “Thoroughly modern Millie” than just casting convenience.
“I also picked it because it was good,” says Brannon. “A good musical has good acting and is not one dimensional. There are good characters, plots and subplots, good music, it’s hummable and good dancing.”
When it comes to dancing, this show will represent a first for Pierson — lots of tap.
“I have three legitimate tappers in the show, and the lead’s not one of them,” notes Brannon.
The lead is junior Holly Goldstein who plays Millie and she is, indeed, learning all about the subtleties of tap shoes.
“It’s been a challenge, but we’ve worked really hard and I think the tap numbers look really good,” says Goldstein.
Choreographer Oscar Gonzalez, who frequently works with Pierson students on musicals, directed the choreography for this as well, including a clever tap number with the girls tapping out the sound of their speedy typewriter skills using their feet.
Despite (or because) of the tap shoes, it’s evident during rehearsals that Goldstein is having a marvelous time as Millie Dillmount.
“I’m playing my favorite role of all time,” says Goldstein. “It’s really fun. I see a lot of myself in Millie. She’s headstrong and knows what she wants and will do what she has to do to get it. She also gets into kind of childish, petty arguments. She has a good heart though and cares about the people around her.”
As is always the case for Brannon, the arrival of the spring high school musical comes with a bit of melancholy attached, and perhaps, this time, more so than others. It’s the last show of the year and it means that she must soon say goodbye to graduating Pierson seniors who have been with her for many years — including Nicole Dorego who is playing the villainess, Mrs. Meers, in this production.
“They grow up and leave me,” says Brannon. “Nicole’s like a second daughter. I’m very proud of her and she’s proud of herself having been in every production since sixth grade and not always the lead.”
“And the male lead, Devan Stachecki, became involved in middle school because he was dragged along by his best friend,” says Brannon. “His best friend was Alex Koehne.”
Alex, who loved acting, died in March 2007 at the age of 15 after a brief battle with cancer, but Stachecki, his best friend, has carried on in Pierson productions and has finally worked up to the lead.
“Thoroughly Modern Mille” will be presented in the Pierson High School auditorium (200 Jermain Avenue, Sag Harbor) at 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 22. Shows will also be offered at 7 p.m. on Friday, April 23 and at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 24. Tickets are $8. To reserve, call 725-5302 or send an email request to tickets@sagharborschools.org.
Top: The cast of Pierson High School's production of "Thoroughly Modern Millie" rehearses April 19, 2010.
