'Thoroughly Modern Millie' Opens Thursday at Mayfield High

Director Larry Braun wanted to bring "Thoroughly Modern Millie" to ever since seeing the musical on Broadway about a decade ago.

"I saw it on Broadway and fell in love with the show," he said. "I'm a choreographer and I love the dancing in it."

The show opens on Thursday with at 7 p.m. senior citizen preview open to seniors living in Mayfield Heights, Mayfield Village, Highland Heights and Gates Mills. Show times are 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday.

With a cast of 60, including 14 lead roles, it takes the right students to be able to pull off such an ambitious production, Braun said.

"This was the year – I had the cast," he said. "I love to do big shows because this is a big stage."

Lauren Yafanaro stars as Millie Dillmount, a small-town girl who goes to New York in 1922 in search of a wealthy husband. She auditioned for another role and wound up winning the lead.

"I was completely shocked," she said.

Despite being set in the 1920s, the musical has a story that resonates with modern high school students, according to Yafanaro.

"I'm sort of like her. She wanted to break out of her shell. She's trying to do that and figure out who she's supposed to be. I can relate to that," said Yafanaro, who plans to study musical theater, perhaps at Baldwin-Wallace College.

Jarahme Pollock will be playing her love interest, Jimmy.

"I really love this show. I love the time period and the jazzy aspects," he said, adding that he's particularly fond of the title song. "It's the most fun I've had doing a show."

Braun has assembled a team of theater professionals to assist with the production, including music director Dave Cox, who is working on "Flannigan's Wake" downtown, costume designer David Glowe has experience with Sesame Street Live and sound designer Sean Szaller has worked as a director and choreographer in Cleveland and New York.

"We want to give the students a professional-quality show to work on," Braun said. "It's better than some of the community theater productions I've been involved with."

Performers also will have their hair and makeup done by a team from .

Advance tickets are $9 for adults, $7 for students and senior citizens – call 216-952-0040. Prices at the door are $10 for adults, $8 for students and senior citizens.