Highland Stage to present Broadway's 'Thoroughly Modern Millie'

VERNON — The Highland Stage is poised to present the Broadway hit Thoroughly Modern Millie starting Aug. 1 at Vernon Township High School.

Taking place in New York City in 1922, Thoroughly Modern Millie tells the story of young Millie Dillmount, who has just moved to the city in search of a new life for herself. It s a New York full of intrigue and jazz — a time when women were entering the workforce and the rules of love and social behavior were changing forever.

Based on the popular movie, the stage version of Thoroughly Modern Millie includes a full score of new songs and bright dance numbers. Filled with fun loving flappers, dashing leading men and a dragon-lady of a villainess that audiences will love to hate, Thoroughly Modern Millie is a perfectly constructed evening of madcap merriment.

The cast is led by Mariajesus Valdes of Vernon as Millie Dillmount and Kyle Pitts from Vernon as Jimmy Smith, along with Megan Johnson from West Milford as Miss Dorothy Brown, Dominick Gonzales from Vernon as Mr. Trevor Graydon, Christina O'Brien from Vernon as Mrs. Meers, Roger Hernandez and Dylan Fau of Vernon as the brothers Ching Ho and Bun Foo and Viktoria-Leigh Wagner of Wantage as the stunning nightclub singer, Muzzy VanHossemere.

Joining the principals above are Rachel Rome, Victoria Marchesani, Brooke Harrsch, Riley Whelan, Skylar Salamone, Rebecca McNeil, Holly LaTorre, Matthew Losco, Matthew Epperly, Martin Novak, Rodney-Steve Henry, Josh Ernst, Brian Losco, Sam Hutnick, Billy Mitchell, Blair Lanza, Kristen Henry, Sophia Aciego, Cora Brennan, Benjamin Bruesehoff, Season Ciriello, Nathan Fitch, Kristen Flaherty, William Flaherty, Langdon Frey, Kaitlyn Gallaugher, Blake Harrsch, Hannah Lanza, Alana Levy, Celeste Levy, Deidra Lohwin, Kaylee Losco, Meredith MacRae, Amelia Meneses, Victoria Meneses, Hannah Mitchell, Lia Pila, Caroline Reese, Shannon Rogers, Emily Ross, Julie Ross and Sadie Smaldino. The production stage manager is Liz Smith of Vernon.

This musical represents the company's annual Summer Theatre Project. The show is directed by Heather Burns, musical direction is by Faith Anderson and choreography is by Renee Ziegler-Schmidt. The full pit orchestra will be led by Jon Hartlage and lighting Design is by Matthew Mitra.

Performances are Friday and Saturday, Aug. 1, 2, 8 and 9 at 8 p.m. and Thursday, Aug. 7 at 7 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for seniors and students with ID. On Thursday Aug. 8 senior citizens pay $8. All tickets can be purchased at the door.

For additional information visit www.thehighlandstage.org or call 973-271-7853.