Thoroughly Modern Millie
Thoroughly Modern Millie is a musical comedy. It was made first as a film in 1967 from a screenplay by Richard Morris, based on his original story, by director George Roy Hill and starred Julie Andrews in the title role, supported by Mary Tyler Moore, Carol Channing, John Gavin, Beatrice Lillie, and James Fox. It was nominated for seven Academy Awards and four Golden Globes. It won the Oscar for Best Original Music Score (for Elmer Bernstein) and Globe for Best Supporting Actress for Channing.
Set in 1922, the plot revolves around the adventures of Millie Dillmount, who escapes to New York City from Kansas determined to get a job as a stenographer in order to marry her wealthy boss. Shedding her country girl clothing for the modern look of a "flapper", she takes a room at the Priscilla Hotel for Women, unaware it's a front for a prostitution ring. In short time she finds herself involved with Jimmy Smith, an apparently ne'er-do-well paper clip salesman, Miss Dorothy Brown, a genteel aspiring actress, Trevor Graydon, her no-nonsense boss, and Muzzy van Hossmere, a madcap heiress with a zest for the high life.
In the early 2000s, the musical was adapted for the stage at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego, California, with a book by Richard Morris and Dick Scanlan, new music by Jeanine Tesori, and new lyrics by Dick Scanlan. It maintained the basic story line of the original but, in an effort to be more "politically correct," it toned down many of the stereotypical traits associated with the Asian characters. It enjoyed substantial runs on both Broadway and in London's West End. The Broadway production won six 2002 Tony Awards - for Best Musical, Best Actress (Sutton Foster), Best Featured Actress (Harriet Sansom Harris), Best Choreography (Rob Ashford), Best Orchestrations and Best Costume Design (Martin Pakledinaz). Later in the Broadway run, Susan Egan, Delta Burke, Dixie Carter, Christopher Sieber and Leslie Uggams joined the cast at various times. The show ended its Broadway run in early 2004, and went on a national tour throughout the United States in 2004 and 2005. The show also toured the United Kingdom in 2005. An original Broadway cast recording is available on the RCA Victor label.