Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The Actors Fund’s 15th Anniversary reunion concert of THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE was thoroughly miraculous

• By drediman
• February 14, 2018
• No Comments

Sutton Foster leads The Actors Fund’s 15th Anniversary reunion concert of “Thoroughly Modern Millie” at the Minskoff Theatre.

Last night, I caught The Actors Fund’s 15th Anniversary reunion concert of the 2002 Tony-winning musical Thoroughly Modern Millie at the Minskoff Theatre (the current home of the long-running Disney hit The Lion King). The sold out, one-night-only concert featured most of the original cast, most notably Tony-winners Sutton Foster in the title role, Gavin Creel as her love interest Jimmy, and Harriet Harris as the devious Mrs. Meers. The cast also included the clarion-voiced singing actresses Megan McGinnis and Kate Baldwin (luminous as ever in her brief cameos), as well as Marc Kudisch and Casey Nicholaw (the latter would go on to direct those indestructible hits The Book of Mormon and Aladdin). In addition, the musical introduced composer Jeanine Tesori to Broadway, who would proceed to write the score for the groundbreaking Tony-winning musical Fun Home. Suffice to say, it was a miraculous to see all these blazing talents celebrate a show that launched many of their illustrious careers.

Let’s start with Ms. Foster, who was astonishingly as fresh-faced as ever. Her implacable, can-do demeanor still registered genuinely and fit the role of Millie Dillmount like a glove. She also approached her many songs with the hunger and attack of a credit-less ingenue. Ms. Foster was a thrill to watch back in the role that elevated her from obscurity to Broadway stardom; she had the audience in the palm of her hand. Mr. Creel, oh-so-easy on the eyes and ears, over the years has grown tremendously as an actor. His current interpretation of Jimmy was not only supremely charming, but also effortless, confident, and fully-formed. As Mrs. Meers, Ms. Harris’s comic chops were on gloriously display. In lesser hands, her character’s somewhat offensive Asian stereotyping (I still feel sorry for her cohort, played winningly by Francis Jue and Darren Lee) would have fallen flat. However, Ms. Harris practically steals every scene she’s featured in, with aplomb. Rounding out the principal casting, Mr. Kudisch and Ms. McGinnis were inspired in their supporting roles. Last but not last, Sheryl Lee Ralph brought Muzzy Van Hossmere back to spunky life.

Returning to perform their directorial and choreographic duties were Michael Mayer and Rob Ashford, respectively. Both exceeded expectations with their resourceful, witty work in this semi-staged concert. Finally, under the baton of conductor Michael Rafter, the orchestra sounded buoyant and energetic (13 of whom were players in the show’s original pit orchestra!). In their hands, Ms. Tesori’s tuneful score has never sounded more appealing.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

THOROUGHY MODERN MILLIE: 15TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION CONCERT
Broadway, Musical
Minskoff Theatre
2 hours, 45 minutes (with an intermission)
Closed