A 1920s flapper tale that sparked a Broadway triumph and a star's rise
In short: In 2002, a musical about a small-town girl chasing wealth in New York City captured the Broadway stage. While it earned six Tony Awards, the show's journey from workshops to stardom involved unexpected cast changes and a legacy that continues to spark debate today.
Thoroughly Modern Millie is a comic pastiche musical featuring music by Jeanine Tesori and lyrics by Dick Scanlan. Based on a 1967 film, which itself drew from the 1956 London musical Chrysanthemum, the story follows Millie Dillmount. Arriving in New York City from Salina, Kansas, in 1922, Millie seeks a husband for money rather than love—a pursuit described as a thoroughly modern aim for women entering the workforce at that time.
The production's path to Broadway was marked by significant shifts. After workshops in 1999 featuring Kristin Chenoweth, Marc Kudisch, and Beatrice Arthur, the show underwent out-of-town tryouts at the La Jolla Playhouse in San Diego in late 2000. While Chenoweth was originally intended for the title role, her departure to film a sitcom led to the casting of understudy Sutton Foster, a move that propelled Foster to stardom. The show officially opened on Broadway on April 18, 2002, at the Marquis Theatre.
The musical was a critical success, winning six 2002 Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and five Drama Desk Awards. It also helped Whoopi Goldberg achieve her EGOT status through her role as a producer. However, the show has faced modern scrutiny; while it remains a popular choice for high school productions, it has garnered controversy regarding its racial stereotyping of Asian characters, with some describing it as walking the line between being entertaining and highly offensive.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Thoroughly Modern Millie (musical)
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/entertainment-thoroughly-modern-millie-musical.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Stage musicals · More in Entertainment · Latest · A–Z · All topics
