After four months of hard work, late nights, and long rehearsals, Vandegrift’s production of Thoroughly Modern Millie premieres Thursday, January 22nd, with showings also on Friday and Saturday at 7PM and a 2PM showing on Saturday, January 24th. The cast and crew have perfected every aspect of the show to bring the musical to life.

“We put a lot of effort into the musical and once show time comes around the adrenaline is contagious,” said junior Alaina Galasso, the stage manager.

Set in 1922, Thoroughly Modern Millie tells the tale of a young, small-town girl named Millie Dillmount traveling to the glittering lights of New York City in search of a wealthy husband. The musical takes the audience back into the era of flappers and fast-talkers, requiring Vandegrift students to step up their singing, acting, and dancing skills.

“Thoroughly Modern Millie is a very demanding show,” said Victoria Brown, who plays the titular character. “It requires a lot of work, but it will all pay off when we finally perform!”

Though some students have performed in countless productions inside and outside of school, the pressure of being in a big production still remains nerveracking.

“I still get a little nervous every time I get on stage, but this show has really gotten me out of my shell and helped me grow as a performer,” junior Cami Everitt, who plays Muzzy, said.

Although largely comprised of actors and dancers, the technical crew also had a considerable amount to do in preparation for the big show, coordinating the lighting, music cues, sound systems, stage construction, and much more.

“A lot of effort goes into each and every technical piece of the show. Everything is created and perfected by different groups of students that will eventually work together to make sure the show runs smoothly,” said Galasso.

Driven under the guidance of four visionaries, Aaron Stahlecker, the head director, Michael Feris, the music director, Molly Wissinger, the choreographer, and Nikki Guckian, the tech director, the production will expose students to working in a realistic environment. By having to devote a large amount of time to the musical while juggling school and their other extracurriculars, the students gained preparation for musical theatre in college.

“Being a part of a large scale production is intense, fast paced, and requires a great amount of skill. High school musicals provide a great stepping stone for professional productions outside of public school,” said Feris.

With hilarious scenes and high-energy numbers, the musical is sure to please all members of the audience.