Sometimes we just want to laugh and enjoy ourselves when we go to the theater. Yes, we know that the stage can also make us think deep thoughts, and we'll gladly see those on occasion, but sometimes we just want a good old-fashioned song and dance show. The Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre offers one such confection in its latest lighthearted musical romp, "Thoroughly Modern Millie."
Based on the cheerfully tongue-in-cheek film starring Julie Andrews, "Millie" tells the story of a young lady who comes to the big city (namely, Manhattan) to explore modern living far from her native Kansas. She quickly lands a job with the wealthy boss she intends to marry, but manages to lose her heart to a seemingly poverty-stricken playboy.
Throw in a ludicrous plot to kidnap orphaned actresses and ship them to Hong Kong as part of a white slavery ring, and the audience has a thoroughly frothy yet thoroughly entertaining evening on their hands. And let's not forget the many opportunities for smiling guys and gals to break out their tap shoes.
As the cheerful and ambitious Millie, Tari Kelly wins the audience over almost instantaneously and keeps them in the palm of her hand for the rest of the show. She's a fine singer, dancer and comedienne, and brings a goofy and exuberant charm to every moment of stage time.
She also gracefully yields the stage to supporting characters in equally fine comic form, including Johanna McKenzie Miller, Dawen Wang and Brian Herriott as parts of a secondary romance plot, and E. Faye Butler as a feisty club singer and millionairess. Butler in Little Bo-Peep drag (Costumer Nancy Missimi has a fine sense of period and clearly a dry wit as well) near the end of the show is a comic highlight.
The leads are backed up by an impressive ensemble that sinks their teeth into some demanding tap numbers courtesy of director/choreographer Marc Robin. Audiences eager to let the weight of the world slip off their shoulders for an evening are encouraged to make their way up to the Marriott before "Millie" takes off her tap shoes.
Playing at the Marriott Lincolnshire Theatre; 10 Marriott Dr., Lincolnshire; (847) 634-0200; $42-$45. Playing through April 23; 1 p.m. & 8 p.m. Wednesday; 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 5 p.m. & 8:30 p.m. Saturday; 1 p.m. & 5 p.m. Sunday.
