Logan-Rogersville High School, 4700 S. State Hwy 125, Rogersville (65742), will present the musical "Thoroughly Modern Millie" Nov.13-15 and the 20th through the 22nd in the auditorium. This is one of those increasingly common stage musicals that was derived from a motion picture, instead of the other way around. And it's become popular with high school theater departments. Music Director for the production, Rebecca Beringer, says they felt they could fill the roles in the show "very well with the talent at L-R. And we chose it because we just absolutely adored the music.
The show is set in 1922, at the height of the "flapper" era. Amanda Struble plays Millie, the girl from Salina, Kansas who escapes small-town life to find a job--and, she hopes, a rich husband!--in New York City. "I have been in this show before, about four years ago (in Little Theatre's production)," so she says she is quite familiar with the play and its now sometimes-obscure topical 1920s references. It's her favorite show, in fact.
Nick Shannon plays Trevor Graden, "the rich boss that Millie intends to marry." He owns an insurance company, and Millie comes to work for him as a stenographer--even though, says Nick, Graden is "still resistant to this new 'modern' age" of women entering the workforce in increasing numbers.
Rebecca Beringer says the production features a cast of 30. As for the orchestra, they're having to augment the live musicians in the pit with pre-recorded orchestral tracks. "We don't have quite enough (players) for the pit because so many of the instrumentalists in our school want to be on the stage"--including Nick Shannon (who plays trombone). This is his first lead role; it's Amanda Struble's 15th production.
Performances of "Thoroughly Modern Millie" at Logan-Rogersville High School are Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:00pm, with additional 2:30pm matinees both Saturdays, November 13th through the 22nd... eight performances over two weekends, which sounds like a lot. But Music Director Rebecca Beringer recommends seeing the show more than once. "There are multiple storylines in this show, and they're all great--and funny. And so sometimes, there are multiple things going on on the stage. And if you're looking at one thing you're going to miss something else!" Tickets are general admission, available at the high school office, 753-2813, or at the door. For information visit http://www.logrog.net/HS/hsindex.html.
