A few years ago, a team from Georgia came to visit University Place in an attempt to learn about the project and perhaps utilize some of the same methods to revitalize what they considered to be a вЂdying mallвЂ™ in their community,вЂќ Downs said. вЂњWhat is happening at University Place is becoming a вЂposter childвЂ™ for malls around the country. Most importantly, Millie learns that money canвЂ™t buy love, no matter how thoroughly modern you are.Д¬ontent advisory: вЂњThoroughly Modern MillieвЂќ contains mild innuendo, mentions of human trafficking and drinking.In 2014, when malls around the country were failing and big box anchor stores folding, the Woodbury Corp., managers and developers of University Place, stepped out of the box and redesigned the mall into a campus of retail shopping, Class A business spaces, housing and entertainment. Meers in her evil scheme, tapping away her boy troubles and learning about life, Millie proves to be an unflappable flapper. The bare set paved the way for the audience to focus on stunning, sparkling costumes and frocks, which were surely the best part of the Roaring вЂ™20s.Д«etween trapping Mrs. The art deco set was minimal, and it felt like it could have used some more interest and props, but it also boasted some clever details, like doorways and tables built into the set floor that emerged during certain scenes. Meers impersonate a drawling southerner instead, which felt a little disjointed when she delivered lines about soy sauce, green tea and other вЂњeasternвЂќ topics. Meers pretends to be Asian as part of her kidnapping ploy. Traditionally in вЂњThoroughly Modern Millie,вЂќ Mrs. Meers, played by DeLayne Dayton (T/Th/S), was my 5-year-oldвЂ™s favorite because вЂњshe was so funny.вЂќ You werenвЂ™t really rooting for her because of the whole human trafficking thing, but whenever her character was on stage there were guaranteed laughs. JacobsenвЂ™s rich voice filled the theater (and then some) when she sang вЂњOnly in New York.вЂќ Peterson let her soprano shine, particularly in вЂњAh! Sweet Mystery of Life/IвЂ™m Falling in Love with Someone.вЂќ Two other strong singers were Marcie Jacobsen (single cast), who played Muzzy Van Hossmere, and Rachel Peterson (W/Th/F), who played Miss Dorothy. The rapid recitation from Squire - who was precisely and hilariously melodramatic in all of his scenes - and the tap dancing made this delightful number the point in which the audience really warmed up to the show.

Graydon, who is, of course, a potential fiancГ© per MillieвЂ™s plan. In this song, Millie transcribes a letter as part of her job application for Mr. She began the show strong with вЂњNot for the Life of Me,вЂќ an ode to leaving her Kansas life behind, and continued through her last solo, вЂњGimme Gimme,вЂќ in which she has a change of heart.Дuring вЂњThe Speed Test,вЂќ Millie applies for a job as a stenographer for Trevor Graydon, played by Jacob Theo Squire (single cast). Sanders was a spunky, animated Millie, and she sang reminiscent of Foster. Alas, Jimmy, played by Josh Valdez (M/W/F), lacks the riches Millie has set her modern heart on, and a dilemma ensues, along with plenty of laughs and catchy songs.Д«rittany Sanders plays Millie in вЂњThoroughly Modern Millie,вЂќ which runs through Nov. Along the way Millie trips a guy, an average Jimmy, then subsequently falls for him. Millie befriends Miss Dorothy, and they find themselves living in the middle of a scheme in which their landlord is kidnapping tenants - the orphaned ones - and selling them into slavery. SheвЂ™s decided to reinvent herself as a вЂњmodernвЂќ - a woman who marries for money instead of love - and she sets her sights on finding a job with an eligible bachelor-boss. The story begins in 1922, and Millie, played by Brittany Sanders (M/T/F), is fresh off the train from Salina, Kansas, ready to take on life in New York City. In 2002 it garnered six Tony Awards, including best musical, and launched the career of Sutton Foster, who also won a Tony for her role in вЂњMillie.вЂќ ItвЂ™s fun without too much froth, silly without being childish and cute without trying too hard.

Or you can attend Hale Center Theater OremвЂ™s production of вЂњThoroughly Modern MillieвЂќ and leave on a musical high - with zero sugar crash. OREM - If you want to feel energized you can guzzle an energy drink, get a vitamin B12 shot or take a nap. 400 North, Orem (80 or ) running time: 2 hours, 30 minutes (one intermission)

Hale center theater orem