Thoroughly Modern Millie

Forget that this show is being produced at Oakmont High School because it is better than you’ll see at many theatres. In a nutshell, it’s smashing! From the lead vocalist, Kristen Brown, to all the members of all the ensembles, every actor in this show, every musician, every dancer, they’ve each given it heart and talent and made it theatrical, thrilling, wonderfully musical and lively for the audience.

The choreography was so tight, so snappy, that it told the story without dialogue. The phenomenal Speed Test with all those toes tapping like typewriter keys was amazing. The dancers, all sitting behind desks while their feet did the typing, tapped in-time and synchronized. Either they practiced and practiced, or these dancers have natural talent. Drummer, Trevor Hall, deserves a big round of applause for all his on-time drumming, clacking, tapping, and cymbal work.

This show should be extended. More music lovers should get the pleasure of listening to Kristen Brown, Nicolas Valdez, Maria Sanders, Iven Webster, Sarah Allen, and Haley Buckmaster. Kristen Brown is a beautiful new talent on stage. Ms. Brown not only sings, but dances, and she sings while she dances, and connects with her audience. She lives the part of Millie Dillmount. This upcoming star deserves a stage. We’ll be seeing more of her. Haley Buckmaster, another entertainer with immense talent, is so at home in front of an audience. One harkens back to Lisa Minnelli when Haley takes the stage. Given a difficult part, that of a hardened trader in human beings, Haley carries the role with oomph, iron determination, and a strong, musical voice. Haley Buckmaster has talent to spare.

The individuals in the ensembles were excellent dancers and singers. Their many flapper- period costumes were colorful and interesting. The stereotypical Chinese twins provided comic relief, especially when pushed around by Haley Buckmaster, Mrs. Meers.

Lead by David Saul Lee, the orchestra, while just six musicians, sounded like twenty. Their music filled the house. Special mention must be made of the marvelous flute, saxophone, and clarinet work of Levi Saelua, the trumpet of Colin Matthewson, and the trombone of Kari Estrada. What a colorful accent Kari added every time she pulled her slide trombone. Mention was already made of Trevor Hall, drummer, but good comments cannot be over-stated. He was on cue for each action that wanted punctuation, and always at the right volume. Dominique Salazar-Turner, bass, kept the rhythm for everyone, and David Saul Lee, on piano, led them all superbly.

A word about the sets. They, too, were innovative and clever, taking us as they did to the skyscrapers of New York, the boarding house of Mrs. Meers, the typing pool, and the office building ledge 24-stories up. But special mention must be made of the elevator going up, up, up, while the want-to-be starlets waited inside. How clever. Of course we wouldn’t have this great production without the talent and hard work of Alison Sundstrom and Samantha Howard, choreographers. Finally, the overall direction of Samantha Howard made this all possible--Thoroughly Modern Millie--a top-notch production.

(April 12, 2014 performance at Oakmont High School, reviewed by Letha Dawson)