Photo Flash: THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE Opens at Music Theatre Wichita

Music Theatre Wichita opens its 2017 Season, "Hollywood to Broadway: A Summer Festival of Musical Theatre" with the 2002 Tony Award-winning Best Musical Thoroughly Modern Millie, playing June 14-18 in the Century II Concert Hall in downtown Wichita, KS. The first of five locally produced Broadway-scale productions, Thoroughly Modern Millie launches the organization's 46th season, which is also the 30th season for producing artistic director Wayne Bryan.

The production stars Broadway veterans Tessa Grady (Dames At Sea, Cinderella) as Millie Dillmount, and Matt Bogart (Jersey Boys, Miss Saigon) as Trevor Graydon, and features resident company members Cassie Austin Taylor (Nickel Mines at NYMF) as Miss Dorothy Brown and Kyle McClellan as Millie's love interest Jimmy Smith.

Nedra Dixon (Bubbling Brown Sugar) is the glamorous Muzzy Van Hossmere, while Karen L. Robu portrays the villainous Mrs. Meers, whose henchman Bun Foo and Ching Ho are played by Harry Robert Perrin and Sam Hamashima. Completing the cast are Patty Reeder as head stenographer Miss Flannery, Sierra Scott as Dorothy Parker, and 35 versatile singer-dancers in the ensemble.

MTWichita's production is directed by Mark Madama (University of Michigan), with choreography by Mara Newbery Greer (A Christmas Story, Shrek the Musical National Tours) and associate Natalie Malotke (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory). Other members of the artistic team include costume designer Deborah Roberts, set designer J Branson, hair and makeup designer Danae Jimenez, lighting designer David Neville, and sound designer David Muehl. Maestro Thomas W. Douglas conducts a 23-piece orchestra.

Music Theatre Wichita has earned a reputation as one of the foremost summer opportunities for young upcoming talents. This year's Broadway season featured nearly forty MTWichita alumni, including cast members of Hello, Dolly!, Come from Away, Bandstand, Anastasia, Miss Saigon, A Bronx Tale, Sunset Blvd., Cats, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and many more. Founded in 1972, MTWichita has produced the world premiere of the revised Good News!, the U.S. premiere of Betty Blue Eyes, and the regional premieres of such Disney titles as The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, and High School Musical. MTWichita has also created cast albums for Honk! and Good News!

Tickets are on sale now for all performances, either online at mtwichita.org, or by calling 316.265.3107. More information, including biographies, histories, and videos, can be found at www.MTWichita.org, and on social media sites Facebook (Music Theatre Wichita), Twitter (@MTWichita) and Instagram (MTWichita).

Photo credit: Christopher Clark

Tessa Grady and company
Company
Matt Bogart and Tessa Grady
Tessa Grady, Matt Bogart, and Cassie Austin Taylor
Tessa Grady and Kyle McClellan
Sam Hamashima, Karen L. Robu, and Harry Robert Perrin
Nedra Dixon and company