Tony Award-winning Thoroughly Modern Millie arrives at Jacksonville University

Millie is a spunky kid who’s moved to New York from Salina, Kan. She’s ready to join the modern women of the 1920s, raise her skirts, bob her hair, marry her boss and have a stable future. But then, there’s Jimmy…

The Jacksonville University College of Fine Arts presents Thoroughly Modern Millie, the Tony Award-winning 2002 musical, in six performances Oct. 19-27 at Swisher Theatre at Jacksonville University, 2800 University Blvd. N.

The show is based on the popular movie, but gussied up with high-energy tap numbers, jazz sequences and love ballads, including two songs from the 1967 film, four standards from the 1920s and nine new songs by composer Jeanine Tesori and lyricist Dick Scanlan. The musical swept the Tony Awards in 2002 and created such excitement that it left all of New York dancing the Charleston.

The zany plot revolves around Millie Dillmount, who escapes to New York City from Kansas determined to marry her wealthy boss – whomever he may be. Shedding her country-girl image for the modern look of a flapper, she takes a room at the Priscilla Hotel for Women and gets a job as a stenographer at the Sincere Trust Insurance Company.

In short order she finds herself involved with Jimmy Smith, an apparently unsuccessful paper clip salesman; Miss Dorothy Brown, a genteel aspiring actress who is excited to be poor; Trevor Graydon, the unromantic boss Millie wants to marry; and Muzzy van Hossmere, a nightclub singer heiress.

Add the hotel proprietress, Mrs. Meers, a villainess everyone loves to hate, and her assistants Ching Ho and Bun Foo, whom she forces to carry out her diabolical schemes, and the evening adds up to adventure, romance, comedy and pure entertainment.

Shirley Sacks and Jay Ivey direct. Jennah Knight choreographs.  Scenic design by Brandan Lettow.

Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 19, 20, 25, 26 and 27 and 3 p.m. Oct. 21 in the Swisher Theatre.

For tickets and information, call (904) 256-7677 and direct your queries to the music department extension.  Adults: $10; Seniors and Military: $7; Students and Children: $5.  Free to JU students, faculty and staff (with ID).