This past weekend, Thoroughly Modern Millie closed at The North Shore Theatre of Wilmette (now in their 60th year!) This up beat, fast moving, colorful show was missing just that.
Let's start with the positives of the show. Overall the show was sung well. Jimmy, played by Jameson Wentworth App, and Muzzy, played by Anita Silvert, were stand out singing performances. The choreography (Kirsten Markham) of the show was fun and executed well.
What the show lacked was direction! Jokes were missed, character connections were lost, and many songs/scenes involved the actors just sitting or standing facing the audience. Tempo was a huge factor in lack of direction. Time between lines allotted semi trucks to pass through. Musical numbers were slow and under tempo. Maybe this was to allow the cast to dance/sing at a comfortable pace, but did not work for the audience.
Costumes lack color and style. Millie starts the show singing about how amazing and modern New York City is and the ensemble emerges all in brown. How is brown a modern color?
Most actors were on the edge of getting their characters right. If they just had a little more push, a little more direction to get them were they needed to be, they would have got their. Unfortunately for Millie and Jimmy (played by Annie Jo Fisher & Jameson Wentworth App respectably), they needed a little more than a push. Their love/hate relationship was never seen. Millie had no facial expressions and lacked emotion in her voice as well. Jimmy sang beautifully, but had awkward pauses throughout the show and unusual eye contact with other actors on stage.
The house was lively, but small and most likely were friends or family members who had all ready seen the show a few times.
Overall, the show was a modest take on the material which lacked in enthusiasm and direction.
