The sound of dancing feet and singing voices fill the air of Milford High Schools auditorium where the cast of Thoroughly Modern Millie practice their lines and routines. The cast is made up of over 26 Milford High School students, many of which are veterans of past musicals and plays.
“This is my third year as an MHS performer; not only is it fun but it’s a rewarding and welcoming experience” says Linnea Kynast, one of the lead performers in the musical. Kynast plays the character Miss Dorothy, one of the major characters in the story. Linnea is no stranger to the stage, and has performed in several other musicals in her time at Milford High school. She enjoys singing and the dancing aspects of the musical, and her favorite song to perform to is “Falling in Love with Somebody.
Curtis Schmitt, another performer in the musical, plays the difficult role of Ching Ho, a Chinese character who speaks no English. Schmitt had what many would consider the most difficult role in the play, mainly because all of his lines are in Chinese. Schmitt needed to learn his lines and a particularly difficult language; an accomplishment which garners the respect of his fellow actors and performers. Schmitt is also no stranger to the stage, and is a veteran of four other musicals and plays.
Both Schmitt and Kynast needed to audition for their respective roles in Thoroughly Modern Millie, and the audition was a difficult one. Male actors needed to sing two songs and perform a forty second dance twice. The songs they needed to dance to were randomly chosen and actors had only two hours to memorize their dance moves and choreograph their routine. The ladies of the stage needed to sing three songs, making their auditions even more difficult.
Derek Engel, another performer and member of the men’s ensemble in the play was chosen for the critical role of Fly Master, meaning he controls the fly lines that actors are attached to. While not the most glamorous of roles, Engel plays an incredibly critical part in bringing the set and stage to life. Engel also operates the curtain, which makes Engel’s role in the play even more important. “I think the actors were very well casted,” Engel said in an interview. “Everyone got the role they deserved.” Engel performed in Annie Junior while he was an eighth grader and Bye Bye Birdie as a junior atMilford. Engel describes every aspect of the play as “fun and enjoyable.”
Thoroughly Modern Millie looks to be another great success for Milford, and the play premieres November 22nd and continues to November 23rd.