Inglemoor High production opens tonight
Through the double doors of the Northshore Performing Arts Center (NPAC), a gripping tale of mystery and romance is unfolding as cast, crew and orchestra members prepare for the big debut of “Thoroughly Modern Millie.” Inglemoor High’s performance department has, after months of practice and dedication, reached opening night — tonight at 8 p.m.
Tickets are on sale at the door or online at the Inglemoor homepage. Show times are at 8 p.m. April 29 and 30 and at 7:30 p.m. May 5, 6 and 7. Tickets are $12 for adults and students, $10 for students with ASB cards and $6 for children under 12.
“Modern Millie” captures the bright lights and big dreams of the Roaring ’20s and the essence of young love — it is guaranteed you will leave happy.
Last Sunday, the “Modern Millie” set took over the NPAC stage in Bothell, and the cast and crew began set-up, sound checks and, of course, dress rehearsals. The cast of 75 or so performers and backstage members were met with a bigger stage, professional set technicians and their director Gretchen Stewart as she gave instructions through a microphone headset.
Stewart has been the drama teacher at Inglemoor for a year and “Modern Millie” will be her first time directing an Inglemoor musical.
“It’s a lot of song and upbeat dance,” Stewart said. “(The cast) started learning to tap dance way back in October. Once a week they had an hour-long tap class.”
Inglemoor senior Connor Kelley did the tap choreography with assistance from junior Megan Stewart who, along with Gretchen Stewart, did the choreography for “Bye, Bye Birdie” and “Beauty and the Beast.” Lynn Wyckoff and senior Kyra Skaggs choreographed the theatrical dance. Together with music, props, costume and song, “Thoroughly Modern Millie” is a window into the flashy past of the flapper era.
The story is set in the 1920s. A girl by the name of Millie travels from Kansas to New York to pursue fortune and a rich husband. Through a series of plot twists and song and dance numbers, Gretchen Stewart says it all comes down to “A simple choice…nothing more…”
Millie, the lead, is played by Inglemoor senior Maryam Abdi. Abdi describes her character as optimistic with moxy.
“She’s naïve in a sense, but that’s what gets her places,” Abdi said. “It’s a fun role to play because no one is really like that in real life.”
Abdi has worked closest with costar Natalee Merrill, a junior at Inglemoor High, who plays Miss Dorothy, a corky blond from California.
“She’s very blond,” Merrill said with a smile. “(Dorothy) eats, sleeps and breathes pink (and) she’s a hopeless romantic.”
When the lights dimmed, the spotlights glared and the curtain drew back at the beginning of the first scene of rehearsal Monday night, it was obvious those who attend the performance nights will be in for a spectacular show.
Though the leads may spend the most time in the spotlight, the support cast brings the whole story into perspective. Roles like Bun Foo played by Tim McGee, a dishwasher played by Leyland Hay, and the rich friend Rodney, the policeman and a chorus member all played by Sam Hershgold.
The chorus men/women make up a large portion of the cast and appear in various scenes such as the opening scene, “nutty cracker” and the jail scene.
“You get more time to be social,” chorus man Andy Dougherty said. “It’s different from having a lead, you don’t have to learn as many parts.”
In the shadows of the curtains and stage props are the stage crew, who work behind the scenes to make transitions as simple as possible.
“I have never seen such a complicated rehearsal process,” backstage crew member Michael Latham said. Latham performed in the “Beauty and the Beast” production last year.
Down in the music box, or “pit,” is another group of concealed talents. Orchestra member Rebecca Cohrs, senior, has been playing violin since she was in fourth grade, yet she admits it’s easy to get distracted with all that’s happening on stage. However, Cohrs is excited to “see it all come together” opening night.
Out of the five showings of “Beauty and the Beast” last year, three of them were sellouts. While they don’t want to turn people away, the cast hopes all the seats are full again this year.
You will be impressed by the performance these talented high-school students have put together. “Modern Millie” is sure to be a show to remember — help make it a sellout.
The NPAC is located at 18125 92nd Ave. N.E., Bothell.
