FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOUNTAIN HILLS COMMUNITY THEATER IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE

THE OPENING OF:

“Thoroughly Modern Millie”

Fountain Hills Community Theater is proud to announce the opening of the musical Thoroughly Modern Millie.
Based on the 1967 movie of the same name, Thoroughly Modern Millie tells the story of a small-town girl, Millie Dillmount, who comes to New York City to marry for money instead of love – a thoroughly modern aim in 1922, when women were just entering the workforce. Millie soon begins to take to delight in the flapper lifestyle, but problems arise when she checks into a hotel owned by the leader of a white slavery ring in China and falls, not for her wealthy boss but a penniless, but charming young man from NYC.
In the early 2000s, the film Thoroughly Modern Millie which starred Julie Andrews and Mary Tyler Moore, was adapted for the stage at the La Jolla Playhouse at University of California, San Diego. Critical reaction was favorable enough to warrant a move to Broadway. Despite nurturing the role through the workshop process, Kristin Chenoweth backed out of the role of Millie in order to film her own sitcom. She was replaced by Erin Dilly, but prior to public previews, Sutton Foster was plucked from the chorus to assume the title role, a move that propelled her to stardom. Sutton Foster has since starred in the Broadway smash hits ‘The Drowsy Chaperone’, ‘The New Mel Brooks Musical Young Frankenstein’ and is currently in the pre-Broadway production of the new production of ‘Shrek, the Musical’.

Thoroughly Modern Millie is produced by Patricia Tonzi and directed by Peter J. Hill. Choreography by Noel Irick and Musical Direction by Christie McKibben.

Thoroughly Modern Millie features Victoria Fairclough, Linda Ferington, Alex Gonzalez, Mallory Lauletti Hacker, Chandra Hawbaker, Noel Irick, Ryan Jordon, Christina Keosky-Smith, Leah Klein, Matt Morgan, Jacqui Notorio, Sean Owen, Lauren Rohrich, Marcos Rutt, Lindsay Schoenrock, Doug Simmons, Val Stasik, Michael Stewart, Ron Tang, Tom Vinopal and Zach Zerambo.

Thoroughly Modern Millie will play January 16 through February 8, 2009. Performances are Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 P.M. and Sunday afternoons at 2:00 P.M. An Opening Night reception will be held for all those attending that evening, offering free appetizers, wine and soft drinks. After the Opening Night performance, there will be a meet-and-greet with cast members and the director. Individual tickets are $25.00 for Adults and $20.00 for children 17 and under. Group rates and student rush discounts are available. All performances are at Fountain Hills Community Theater on its Mainstage at 11445 N. Saguaro Blvd. (The Corner of Saguaro and Rand). Tickets are available through the theater Box Office at (480) 837-9661 x3. Box Office Hours are 10:00 AM-5:00 PM Tuesday through Saturday.

For publicity photos, please contact Fountain Hills Community Theater Publicity, Patty Torrilhon at (480) 837-9661 or visit our website at www.fhct.org for production photos.

For additional information not contained in this press release, please call Fountain Hills Community Theater Artistic Director, Peter J. Hill at (480) 837-9661 EXT. 7.