The Geneva Fine Arts Department recently finished its production of Thoroughly Modern Millie, a musical based in the 1920s featuring a young Kansan, Millie Dillmount played by Geneva senior Eleanor Galbreath. The show follows Millie’s many misadventures as she arrives at the buzzing metropolis of New York City in search of a new, modern life.
“The show came together very well. Between tap-dancing stenographers and a live jazz orchestra, it’s hard to pick a highlight. To God be the glory!” the show’s Artistic Director Ben Vis said.
Audience members were drawn into the well-written and executed storylines involving Millie’s best friend, Miss Dorothy Brown played by senior Amber Bormann, and love interest, Jimmy Smith played by sophomore Jack Swanson.
Additionally, a host of colorful characters were featured including Millie’s boss, Trevor Grayden (sophomore Alex Iyer) and jazz-singing sage, Muzzy Van Hossmere (junior Charlotte Walker). The musical’s antagonist, washed-up actress Mrs. Meers (junior Gracyn Freiling), exacts her revenge on young talent by kidnapping them and shipping them to Hong Kong. Meers’ schemes are assisted by unwitting characters Bun Foo (junior Jake Allen) and Ching Ho (sophomore Parker Akin).
“Although this show puts a humorous spin on serious subject matter, the Geneva Fine Arts Department used this show to support combatants in the front lines of human trafficking. All proceeds from ticket sales were donated directly to Ransomed Life, a Christian organization based in San Antonio,” Vis said.