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Get ready to hike up that hemline and whip out those Charleston moves because South County Secondary School has brought the Jazz Age to life with their production of Thoroughly Modern Millie.

Set in the Roaring Twenties, Thoroughly Modern Millie tells the tale of Millie Dillmount (Molly Dickerson) who has come to New York City to do what any modern girl would do–find a rich boss and promptly marry him. During her escapades, she meets Jimmy Smith (David Rea), who complicates her plans a bit, and Miss Dorothy Brown (Annie Levitt), a society girl bent on living like the other half. Enter Mrs. Meers (Claire Bridger), owner of the Hotel Priscilla, who has been selling poor orphan hotel residents into white slavery. Can Millie, with the help of her friends, put an end to the injustice!?

South County’s ensemble cast worked extraordinarily well together. Every song and dance number was expertly put together and superbly performed by the large cast. Even in tap dance numbers such as “The Speed Test” and “Forget About the Boy”, the ensemble showed amazing unity and coordination.

Dickerson’s rendition of Millie was purely phenomenal. Her amazing singing voice and brilliant and consistent acting skills made her truly a joy to watch. Rea was the perfect onstage match for Dickerson. Dickerson and Rea were able to make the relationship between Millie and Jimmy come to life. Rea’s superb vocals and ability to lose himself in his character made him fit his role seamlessly.

Bridger’s unflinching approach to the challenging role of Mrs. Meers was truly admirable. Anna Custodio‘s noteworthy take on rags-to-riches singer Muzzy Van Hossmere was amplified by her stunning vocal abilities. Adam Scott and Kyle O’Connor‘s hilarious performance as Chinese brothers Ching Ho and Bun Foo was made possible by their excellent comedic timing. Ray Yankey‘s rendition of Millie’s boss Mr. Trevor Graydon was made memorable by his ability to cut loose and deliver his lines hysterically.

The set, designed by Sarah Stephens, was an extraordinarily unique take on New York City which fit the surrealism of the Jazz Age perfectly. Every single costume fit each character wonderfully and made every moment of the show exceptionally colorful and visually riveting. The Thoroughly Modern Millie Pit Orchestra never overpowered the music and made a valiant attempt at the difficult music.

Whether tap-dancing or belting their hearts out, South County’s take on the charming musical Thoroughly Modern Millie was a delightful event not to be missed.

You can experience this show, again, on May 11 and 12 at 7:30PM.

by Brittany Lamb of Langley